So I said I'd be revisiting this blog around 'mania time and thankfully for loyal readers, I refuse to disappoint.
I should be studying for my sociology exam that'll take place this tuesday, but judging by last semester, studying this subject like an asian paid no dividends. So fuck it.
I haven't been really up to speed on the wrestling biz, but some sideways glances gives me somewhat of an idea what has taken place and what is going to take place in the near future.
Wrestlemania is coming around again and much like previous years, I'm not as excited as I should be. I reckon it has been that way since WM21. Anyways, some proper matches on the card though. I'm not going to predict any outcomes, for obvious reasons.
A resurging Jack Swagger w/ Dutch Mantell gets a title shot against Del Rio. As I said before, I haven't been up to speed, but an extreme patriottic Swagger seems to work. Good thing he's got a mouthpiece to back him up, since stick handling has never been his forté. His lisp, however unfortunate, isn't doing him any favors either.
These guys both have a fairly technical background, so I don't expect a flashy match to take place. Perhaps that's not what Wrestlemania needs, but I can definitely get behind it. Add to that the fact that Swagger has got some power in his arsenal and Del Rio has some submission chops, this could turn out to be a properly varied match. I haven't exactly been impressed with Del Rio since his debut, so the outcome of this match is not really of note for me.
Sheamus/Randy/Ryback vs The Shield. Throwaway match at best. I like the Shield, but this match seems to serve solely as the catalyst to turn Randy heel. In that case, it's very much forgiven. Randy needs a heel turn more than Betty White needs diapers. Hopefully this'll also add a little more substance to the motives of The Shield, considering the whole story has been in a lull for quite some time. Further, this match is meh at best.
The annual tradition, The Undertaker defending the streak. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if this meant the end of his career. I expect him to go over Punk, just to keep the streak alive, but keep your dignity Taker, and call it a day. There's nothing left for the guy to prove. Punk won't feel it if he loses (he did when jobbing to Rock, though. WHY THE FUCK?). Despite knowing the outcome of his matches every year ... it's always the one match I consistently look forward to.
Ugh, the purported Main Event of the evening. Rock vs Cena II. The match wasn't spectacular last year and it'll probably be a dud this year. For a match hyped solely by the fact of the participants not being on the show, this will turn a lot of viewers away. I wouldn't fork out the money for this match, if anything.
The bad part about all of this is, since Rock can't commit to a full time schedule ... it's a likelihood that Cena will walk away the champion again. I know it's been quite a while since he held the belt, which is good, but you can tell exactly what's going to happen once he has it. That whole "champ is here" shtick will start anew ... thankfully without that awful spinner abomination though.
Say whatever you like. Everybody's hatin' on the new title design, but I'm loving it to bits. It's modern, but not overly marginalised like its predecessor. I'll take this one over the old spinner any day of the week.
Speaking of titles, why the fuck is Antonio Cesaro jobbing every week? He's the US champ, according to reports very well liked, but the past month or so he has jobbed to everyone and their granny. Dafuq?
I hope it'll turn around. He's a fucking amazing performer.
Donald Trump in the hall of fame? Sure, he hosted WM twice, but at the same time he was also the main character in one stupidly awful match+segment. In all honesty, Mick Foley and Bruno Sammartino are getting inducted at the same time, so the balance still edges towards the awesome.
Wanna know something funny? I'm liking the way things are going with a storyline in TNA. It comes at a price of course. Why the fuck are Chris Daniels and Frankie Kazarian dressing up like Hawk and Animal? If I look back at the days when Chris Daniels was just "The Fallen Angel" and came out to doomy music and Frankie Kazarian was a disciple of Raven alongside Matt Bentley and Johnny Devine in Serotonin ... this just stinks.
But like I said, despite the Hogan involvement (of course), this Aces 'n Eights story is getting really nifty. I've always liked the Dudleys, and with the reunion of D-Von and Bubba, including Bubba as world champ is just awesome. It also makes the Shield storyline look really bad.
The contents of this faction notwithstanding (Former WWE hacks + Anderson + Bischoff and Brisco junior + The Dudleys), the storyline has been well handled and the group has been made to look strong. I hate to say it, but TNA is slapping WWE's Shield storyline on the ass with a strap-on dildo.
Last, but not least ... I'd like to acknowledge the passing of the much beloved William Moody. When I read that news, I got seriously stabbed in the childhood. While I didn't shed a tear, I did spend all day just watching Paul Bearer segments on youtube in his memory. Everyone knew he had health issues, but the man was a trooper. Despite the eerieness of his character, I loved Paul Bearer to bits. I'm glad WWE went out of their way to give him a fitting tribute. Because don't forget, Bill Moody had a huge hand in the success of the Attitude Era. He was the one that got Undertaker, Kane AND Mankind over, and all three played a huge part in the 90's and 00's.
I also bet that he would've loved that his passing would be gently woven into a storyline involving the Undertaker. Thanks for everything Bill! OOOOOHHHH YEEEEESSSSSSS!
~D.
