Triple H dropped a bombshell on Raw, he could be part of the WrestleMania XXX main event. Has Triple H’s altered stipulation for his match with Bryan added to, or taken away from, the importance of their one-on-one match?
TNA’s possibly looking at venturing to some new venues, including the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom. Is this a good move by TNA, looking to sell-out arenas with smaller capacities as opposed to holding events in bigger, half-full locations?
WrestleMania’s theme songs are starting to be announced, but which tracks to we most closely identify with the show of shows?
Plus, we hypothetically buy shares in WWE wrestlers. Who’d have a low purchasing point now, but be poised to deliver a huge dividend come WrestleMania 31?
1. Triple H altered his WrestleMania match with Daniel Bryan on Raw, announcing the winner – not just Bryan if he wins – will be added to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match later in the night, guaranteeing a triple threat for the title. Has this made you more interested in Bryan vs. Triple H, or has the match been overshadowed by the stipulation and the night’s main event?
Dion:
At the moment, this is the most underwhelmed I’ve ever been for a WrestleMania main event, which will be compounded if Triple H wins on the night. But that’s what makes it a stroke of genius. In a perfect world, D-Bry will have his night, and we’ll all go home happy.
Blake:
I think this adds a tremendous amount to both matches. The gravity of the situation has now increased tenfold; while initially it was all but guaranteed that Bryan would win his match, we all know too well that the sledgehammer isn’t Triple H’s only long-handled tool. Furthermore, this guarantees that people won’t be falling asleep during the main event of the biggest wrestling spectacle of the year.
Craig:
I didn’t like the execution of the angle. I would’ve preferred Triple H laugh at Daniel Bryan requesting the stipulation rather than getting all manufactured angry. By laughing and agreeing to it, it would have fitted more into his character because he should have said “I will gladly agree to that stipulation because you have absolutely no chance. A B-plus player won’t get past a main eventer like me, and my ego is so big that when I win, I’ll go into the main event because that’s good for business.” Instantly I would’ve been interested but it’s a lock Daniel Bryan is going into the main event. What would make it interesting though is if it was changed to a fatal four-way with the three members of Evolution ganging up on Bryan only for Hogan and Flair interfere to help Bryan win. That would be a WrestleMania moment!
Stevie:
The last minute attempts to save their biggest show has provided a few interesting moments but it’s still all fairly cringe-worthy. Imagine if Punk had stuck around – he’d probably be the one in Bryan’s spot right now, given fans would have turned on Batista regardless.
David:
Both men have something to gain from this match now. Before Triple H was just an obstacle in Bryan’s path to the title, but now both have a reason to fight. It puts the emphasis back on their match, in an odd way, I think. If anything, this has the potential to overshadow the main event, despite its stipulation.
2. TNA is rumoured to be holding events in New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom later this year. Is this potential move toward smaller, more intimate venues a step in the right direction for the company?
Dion:
After seeing the images of the Lockdown crowd, I would say so. You have to give it to TNA, they keep trying new things to get a foot hold. I still hope that someday soon they make some real strides. True competition in the industry will provide fuel for a better product all around.
Blake:
I am a massive fan of smaller venues; Emma is undeniable proof at how a person can become a superstar when they are able to interact almost individually with the fans, only to become somewhat lesser (as much as I hate to say it) when performing in front of tens of thousands of people. By holding events in smaller venues, TNA can get fans at the event more involved resulting in a more intimate television experience resulting in a higher chance of success when returning to larger venues.
Craig:
I honestly couldn’t care less.
Stevie:
Poor TNA. Why aren’t you better? Yeah, it’s a good idea.
David:
I like the concept of heading towards more traditional wrestling venues. They might have a smaller capacity than some of the other venues TNA used to run, but venues like the Hammerstein are iconic in wrestling history, and any association TNA can build between itself and the venue can only be a good thing.
3. More names have been added to the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal for WrestleMania XXX. Does this help to make the match something you’re genuinely interested in, or is it still just a way to ensure the entire roster makes it to the WrestleMania card?
Dion:
A little from Column A, a little from Column B. The WrestleMania IV Battle Royal was a lot of fun, and though this feels like more of a “let’s get some names on the WrestleMania card”, I also won’t be surprised if the match becomes part of the pre-show. That said, I am looking forward to seeing it all go down!
Blake:
I genuinely think this is a little bit of both. On the one hand, WWE need to get as much of the roster as they can on the card to show off their talent. On the other hand, this is an extremely classy way of doing so, simultaneously paying homage to a great athlete and a great champion. My only qualm with the battle royal is that it makes the Royal Rumble seem less important.
Craig:
There’s no doubt it’s a play to get as many people as possible on the WrestleMania card but it’s a great opportunity to put someone over just like Money in the Bank. Having Big Show win would be a great tribute to Andre but wouldn’t achieve anything. The winner needs to walk around with the trophy just like the Money in the Bank briefcase and make something of it.
Stevie:
It’s just an attempt to get some names on the roster. The winner doesn’t get anything other than a trophy, so there’s nothing to care about if you are a fan of a person in it. They might do something fun with the trophy winner afterwards but as a fan right now, it’s just a random match.
David:
Once you get down to the final four this could be Royal Rumble levels of interesting. You’ve got Sheamus, and Big Show, and Christian, and Big E in the mix – all potential main event players – so it’s not definitely just a filler match any more.
4. The theme songs of WrestleMania are starting to be announced, with Eminem’s “Legacy” joining Kid Rock’s “Celebrate” as one of the official themes of the event. Which songs do you most strongly associate with WrestleMania, past or present?
Dion:
I think Limp Bizkit’s “My Way”. Thanks in part to WrestleMania X-Seven being such an incredible event. Definitely one of my favourites.
Blake:
I think the only song I really connect with WrestleMania is Peter Gabriel’s “Big Time”, and that’s only because I’ve watched WrestleMania 22 a ridiculous amount of times.
Craig:
The instrumentals from the early WrestleMania V always gives me goosebumps 25 years on and they kept that one for a while. I also like “Shoot to Thrill” by ACDC from WM25 and “I Made It” by Kevin Rudolph from WM26.
Stevie:
Limp Bizkit’s “My Way” really was the best hype video for one of their biggest matches. Hard not to hear that song and not think of the iconic phrases in that promo.
David:
Diddy – Dirty Money’s “Coming Home” will forever strike a chord with me as the theme for the first WrestleMania I ever attended. It’s not a half-bad song either. And, as much as I don’t really care for it, I can’t help but think WrestleMania whenever I heard Tinnie Tempah’s “Written in the Stars” – that song was pushed hard in the lead-up to WrestleMania XXVII.
5. WWE shares are the talk of the internet lately, having hit an all-time high since the launch of the WWE Network. Borrowing the concept of the stock market, if you could invest in a wrestler – one who mightn’t have the highest value right now but will yield a big dividend at the end of the financial year, just in time for WrestleMania 31 – who would you put your money in?
Dion:
Dolph Ziggler. Invest now!
Blake:
I think I would invest in Zack Ryder. It really pains me to say it, but I think this Last ReZort video series of his is offering a fresh character change that isn’t based on the WWE creative team. While I didn’t like Z! True Long Island Story, it was fresh and original until WWE took over. This is exactly the same only much more awesome.
Craig:
The Bulgarian weightlifting guy from NXT (is he even Bulgarian – you know who I’m talking about) and Seth Rollins. I actually think Rollins will go further than Reigns.
Stevie:
Dolph Ziggler. If you cloned a bunch of Zigglers, you’d have an insanely profitable roster. Provided you didn’t bury all the clones in the backyard… or in the ring.
David:
Cesaro’s the guy. They’ve teased him splitting off from Swagger for a while now, and he’s shown he can run with the main event guys, but right now, on paper, he’s still part of a midcard tag team. A year from now though, and the Swiss Superman could be the guy.
