Wrestlemania Ramblings

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Wrestlemania Ramblings

Here we are, a few days away from the grandest stage in the business of professional wrestling. While many this Sunday won’t understand us, (and by us I mean the faithful fanatic) we all gather together, with friends, family, neighbors, and workplace colleagues, to witness the spectacle, the grandeur, and the majesty that took twenty five years to build. Yes, Virginia, Wrestlemania comes but once a year, but as always, it promises to be the climax and apex of all that has transpired in the past year.

The plan this year is to run it down with three people. My best friend, my girlfriend, and myself. Now, many of you might be asking what’s the deal with the choices here? Well it’s simple really. My best friend, Blair Fraser, is an old school wrestling fan like me, but in recent years has fallen away from being the serious viewer that I am. He’s not the kind to DVR Superstars to see the Tyson Kidd/Mysterio match, but he’s going to follow up with RAW and everything else online. My girlfriend, Lisa Connolly, is the fair-weather and casual fan. She watches what’s on the programs, and follows at a distance, but doesn’t necessarily understand all the rules, all the stipulations, and of course, the history behind the company. But she certainly has favorites and the ones she hates on as well, so she certainly is obliged to have an opinion. That and she’s dating me.

Now, as for me, I’m a different kind of cat. I watch wrestling in a different way from other people. I’m constantly looking at what works with the crowds and what doesn’t. I’ll look to see how real something is, especially in the case of injuries or whatever. I read a bunch of websites, I write for the Fight Network and SLAM.Canoe.Ca, and I have friends that are wrestlers. I also do work for a local Indy group, called Alpha 1. You haven’t heard about it? Wait till next week…

So here we go, breaking down the card in no particular order:

The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels aka The Streak vs. The Career

JG: To be absolutely honest, this has been the best build for any program that I have seen in quite some time. Not only has it been strong for both sides, but no one really has to play heel here. There are just enough people that like both guys to take sides up pretty fairly, almost like Hogan and Rock. I can’t really see Undertaker losing this match, and Shawn needs a rest now anyways, especially after all the DX antics. Dwarf Court can take a lot out of a person.

BF: Taker extends the streak and Michaels retires

LC: I agree with both BF, and JG. Taker takes it to 18-0 and Michaels scampers off to lick his wounds for a few months. Triple H will then hunt him down and find him working in a bowling alley then tries to convince him to rejoin DX and the wrestling world.


Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart vs. Vince McMahon aka Can’t We All Just Get Along?

JG: I have been pretty vocal about my thoughts on this, the Hart family, and the usage of their legacy in the WWE Universe. God, I hate calling it Universe… Sounds so STUPID. Anyways, Hart Dynasty needs to make an appearance here. This could be accomplished a multitude of ways, but I would prefer to see it in the way of a real stable, and then having Bret mentor them or manage them. ALL OF THEM, since I’m sick of seeing Natalya wasted on the sidelines, when she should be running roughshod all over the Women’s Division. I have to say that I see Bret going over here, but since he’s sticking around for a bit after Wrestlemania, this might play out until Extreme Rules. I sincerely doubt it though.

BF: Bret Hart wins. If McMahon has some kind of interference then the Hart Dynasty makes the save and gets the push they deserve.

LC: Vince is a dick and has something up his sleeve. He pulls out something sneaky and underhanded for the win. Once the bell rings, Hart Dynasty flies into the ring and beats the shit out of Vince. The storyline continues well after Wrestlemania. I really hope Hart Dynasty gets more ring time that doesn’t include Cryme Tyme. It’s been going on far too long.

John Cena vs. Batista for the WWE Title

JG: This has been a decent build up and I do want to see how this plays out. I love Batista as the heel, and it’s a great updated, ramped up, homage to Flair at times. Cena is probably going to win this, if only because no one wants to watch several thousand children cry all at once. Or do they? *evil grin*

BF: Batista should win this one. He is doing so good as a heel, but who knows with Super Cena.

LC: Cena has been getting his ass kicked for a few weeks on this one. He’s due for a win here. Batista turns on Vince after the loss and turns face.

Edge vs. Chris Jericho for the World Heavyweight Championship aka Last Canuck Standing

JG: I see this whole thing as pretty predictable. Edge is going to win the match with the spear, and then Christian, who will have won Money in the Bank, will come out and cash it in. If he doesn’t do it tonight, he does it on Smackdown next week. Edge needs someone to feud with, since Jericho will most likely be on his way back to Raw after Mania and Christian and Edge never got the chance to have the great feud that many of us KNOW that they can provide for the audience. These two can go all night long and then some, and it’s going to be great to see it happen, assuming it does.

BF: Edge will probably win, but shouldn't. Could see the money in the bank used here.

LC: Completely agree with B.F. He shouldn’t win. To put a spin on J.G.’s prediction, it would be GREAT to see Jericho beat Edge. He’s been pushing the spear since the Rumble and it would be great to see it fail. Then the MIB winner cashes in and beats Jericho so there is a complete wild card Champion no one expects. But let’s be real here…that won’t happen. Edge will win then Jericho will cry for 3 months.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match

JG: If it isn’t Christian, than it’s Drew McIntyre. Someone at Titan Tower has a hard on for that kid and if they get their way, he’s going be it. You didn’t honestly think Shelton Benjamin was going to win it, did you? YOU DID? Christ… that’s deplorable.

BF: Christian wins. Sets up Edge vs. Christian. (Like I said, predictable, but still awesome.)

LC: I hate Drew McIntyre, so it better be Christian.

Big Show and The Miz vs. R-Truth and John Morrison for the World Tag Team Championships

JG: I could see this just being a big schmoz and nothing really coming from it. There’s so little going into this, and I don’t remember any of the crowds at recent Raw or Smackdown shows being into the one on one matches that have been taking place with these four. I don’t care enough to even guess so let me flip a coin. Looks like it’s going to be MizShow. Good, now hurry up and lose to Hart Dynasty.

BF: Who really cares, but I say the champs keep their titles.

LC: I hope MizShow pulls it out because IMO, John Morrison’s image just doesn’t work in a tag team setting. Morrison and R-Truth as a tag team just feels wrong and awkward in a way. Like a car accident you can’t help but stare at, but feel bad for looking.

Triple H vs. Sheamus aka two Jacked Up Guys with No Real Storyline

JG: I see Triple H going over here. But it’s going to be one hell of a fight.

BF: Double DQ and the rivalry continues

LC: I agree with J.G. Triple H and Sheamus beat the piss out of each other; Triple H pulls it out and the feud continues with Sheamus seeking revenge.

Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase Jr. vs. Cody Rhodes aka who’s the Face and who’s the Heel?

JG: Randy is winning the match, if only because Ted and Cody can’t coordinate their attack together without burning one another. With the Draft on the horizon, I can’t see these three all staying on the same show, and I could see Ted having a good run on Smackdown as the Million Dollar Champion. Cody… I just don’t know what’s in store for him. But I wish him all the best. He’s got a good start on a long road.

BF: Orton pulls out the victory as DiBiase and Rhodes turn on each other.

LC: Agree with B.F…mostly because I didn’t even think of that angle and it sounds awesome!

Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk

JG: I love Rey Mysterio. Ever since I first saw him in an ECW tape a friend lent me, I knew something special was in store for this diminutive superstar. I was hoping for this to become the Mask vs. Society match that was rumoured but that may still be in the works. I think CM Punk is going to win this match, not only with help from Luke Gallows and Serena, but why not with the help of little Aaliyah Mysterio? Or Dominik? It’s going to further the story, it’s going to give Rey some depth and an emotional story to work with, which he really hasn’t had since Eddie Guererro was around.

BF: Mysterio will win but it would be interesting to see what would happen with him in the SES.

LC: Mysterio pulls off the win and the SES goes out for blood after Mania. The storyline will continue and just get more and more INSANE.



So there you have it! My complete and total run down, to a T. Got comments or thoughts? I always welcome comments on the page, in my inbox, on my Facebook, wherever. Feel free to send me your own thoughts, I’m always interested.



Jeff Goodridge is a freelance writer and a lifelong wrestling fan. Once, in Montreal, Blair and I got into a fake wrestling match. I was dressed as Piper and he was wearing a weak, dollar store executioner mask. It was epic.

Awesome Kong could be an Awesome Aquisition

Wow, what a few weeks can do to one of the most talented female workers in the industry!

For those of you that follow the TNA product, and I'll be honest when I say that I ain't one of them, but I'm sure for those of you tht do, you all remember the dominant force that Kong was when she first hit the States, after her successful runs in Japan, and other places across the globe, I was one of many who wondered why she was ni TNA and not in WWE.

Let's think about this seriously for one moment. WWE, and of course Vince, has always been the sort to push the monsters and the freaks. Now, before you female readers smash me, NOT EVEN REMOTELY WHAT I'M SAYING. What I mean is, that the bigger the person, the bnigger the push. Kane is a monster, Viscera is a monster, Nicole Bass was a monster and like it or not, Chyna was and is still a freak and a monster. Not just to herself, mind you, but I digress. Cripes, if you look at it closely, even Beth Phoniex is technically a freak and a monster. She's bigger than most of the women, she wrestles better than most of them as well, and in some cases, much hotter.

Kong is someone that is totally unique, and totally fresh to what WWE has been pushing in the last little while. Maybe this harkens back to the days of Bertha Faye or Bull Nakano, but this is something that WWE could very well capitilize on. They recently did a storyline, that may or may not be over, with Mickie James and Michelle McCool over weight, style, and looks. Who better to bring in than Kong, giving a great sense of options for women, and also adding a ton of muscle to the division.

I know that I may be hyper critical to the women's division as of late, but a lot of that comes from the fact there are SO MANY good workers in the company right now that aren't being used to thier potential. Natalya Neidhardt is one of the best womens wrestlers on the planet right now, along with Mickie James, Molly Holly, Trish Stratus, and, in her day, the Fabulous Moolah. Nattie does everything with style, panash, and vigour. In fact, her match with Awesome Kong that materialized on YouTube from Japan was one of the BEST women's matches I think I have ever been lucky enough to see. Why couldn't WWE capitalize on this?

Bringing it back to Beth, theres not a single person in the industry that wouldnt be opposed to seeing Beth and Kong mix it up. If you ever wanted to see the female version of Hogan vs. Andre, there's little option on the contenders. Beth has the size, the style, and the workrate to keep up to Kong and bring a totally new side out of her.

Matches aside, we also have to think about the fact that, like it or not, we are heading into a second coming of the Monday Night Wars. I, along with a lot of other wrestling fans, don't expect too much to come out of this, but with TNA sucking up all these former WWE workers, like Kendrick, Kennedy, Shannon Moore, even Jeff Hardy to some extent, isn't it time for Vince to maybe make a statement to TNA, letting Dixie Carter know that he isn't scared? Bringing in Awesome Kong would not only send that very message all the way to TNA HQ, but it's also going to make waves in the industry. Instead of being on the recieving end of a talent salvo, why not deal a mortar blow to the heart of the Knockouts Division?

I'm not saying this is the answer to Kong's issues, because there are those. Kong and a certain Sponge are going to be talking through lawyers for some time, from whats been coming out in the dirt sheets as of late, but this is certainly going to make her look alot better, and its also showing that shes got the heart to keep going in this buisness, even in the face of severe adversity.

So, Vince? Pick up Awesome Kong. Do yourself a favor, get someone that can work, work safe, work powerfully, and WORK AWESOME. Sign her now, bring her in just after Mania, or even do it the night of. But the long and short is, BRING US AWESOME KONG! You're missing a few Divas right now anyways, whats it going to hurt to bring someone in for a bit to round out the whole situation.

But really? With the way the Women's and Diva's Divisions have been running, what can we expect? Probably just another Diva Search.