Tomorrow is Wrestlemania. You remember Wrestlemania, don’t you? It’s that Super Bowl of wrestling shows. Then why isn’t there more excitement over it? Admittedly I have not read everyone’s views of Vince’s upcoming spectacular, but the majority of those that I have looked at do not seem to be that thrilled over the prospect of paying a lot of money for what they might get in return. It doesn’t seem that long ago when wrestling fans looked forward to ‘Mania for months. I must include myself in that as well. Before the preceding year was up Wrestlemania was being hyped, matches were already being prepared – complete with story lines that worked, I might add – and by the time April came around we were chomping at the bit for our four hours of fun. So what happened?
Now, at this point it is not really fair for me to be talking a lot about the product, since I have not been as glued to the television set as I have been in the past. I got bored with the WWE, plain and simple. I got bored with Vince’s ass, Edge’s whining, Mark Henry’s bulk, the ever-popular lesbian teases and Triple H’s sledgehammer – you get the idea, the list is long. So while I have been paying some attention and know what’s going on (for the most part), Wrestlemania is almost here and I haven’t given it much thought. So I decided to sit down and really look at the card, and I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw. This might be good – yeah, really. And while I’m not going to do any predications here, I’d just like to give my two cents to the matches we will see on Sunday afternoon.
There are five titles on the line tomorrow. John Cena defends his WWE Championship against Triple H, complete with afore-mentioned sledgehammer, I’m sure. But these two can certainly mix it up, there is no question about that. HHH can make any opponent look good, but when his opponent can actually wrestle that is a recipe for a strong match, and I’m sure that is just what we will get.
The World Heavyweight Championship is on the line when Kurt Angle has to take on two others in his title defense, as Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio make a run for his belt. As with the previous match, all of these men can really do their thing, and with the different personalities and dynamics going on here, this too should be good. I wonder if Angle will take a chance to rest during the match, since there are three of them. By all accounts his neck is not in good shape. That said, he has never backed down before, and his stubbornness and aggression might just get in his way this time.
JBL will try to dethrone Chris Benoit and grab the United States Championship, but I don’t think The Rabid Wolverine will bow down to “The Wrestling God” very easily. At least Benoit is wrestling for a belt, even though it is not one of the, shall I say, coveted ones. He deserves his time in the ring at ‘Mania, and I’m glad he’s getting it. JBL is a great character and he brings his own style in here.
Then there is the Tag Team Championship with Big Show and Kane against Chris Masters and Carlito. I must admit I’ve enjoyed Show’s interaction with Masters and the Masterlock. I think Show is at his best when he demonstrates his humor, and I’ve enjoyed that. Kane even has some personality now, and I like that, too. I see this match being entertaining rather than technical, and that’s fine.
I am still up in the air about the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Matt Hardy and Rob Van Dam can certainly take risks and bumps, and I think that Shelton Benjamin can fit in there too. But I don’t see Finley working a true Ladder Match, and I’m not sure about Bobby Lashley either. As far as Ric Flair is concerned, he is a consummate professional. But I’ve been spoiled with the Ladder Matches of old with the Hardy Boyz, Edge and Christian, and the Dudleys being involved. So I have a wait and see approach here.
Speaking of Edge, he has his battle with Mick Foley in a Hardcore Match. I am admittedly nervous about this one. Say what you will about Mick, what he lacks in raw talent he makes up for with insane bumps and the like, and that is what worries me. Just how far will he go to make this match something special? I guess we’ll find out. I just hope that when he gets to the back he can remember it!
I really like Booker T, but when he and Sharmell have their Handicap Match against The Boogeyman I might just have to pay attention to something else. I mean, I’m going to be having my dinner, you know? I don’t want to watch Boogeyman eat all those worms. What I WOULD like to see is he getting to really wrestle a match and show off a little bit. He’s got the body, and if I remember correctly from Tough Enough 4, he has the drive and ability, too. I’d rather get to see that.
Is there any way that Shawn Michaels can defeat Vince McMahon in their No Holds Barred Match? Boy, I don’t know. Vince has cheated sooooo many times of late that I have a hard time seeing HBK coming out on top in this one. And to be honest, while McMahon looks fantastic for a man his age, I wish that Michaels had another dance partner. Just how many more Wrestlemania’s stand in line for The Heartbreak Kid? I’d like to see him have a fabulous match. Well, you never know, I guess.
I’ll check in on my favorite match now, because I want to see Undertaker go 14-0. He will face Mark Henry in a Casket Match. I always feel guilty when I talk badly about a wrestler, because I know that for the most part they are all going out there and doing the best job they can do. But WHY is ‘Taker having to wrestle Henry? Wait, I know why. Yes, they are having this little feud going, but Undertaker is in the same boat as HBK. His Wrestlemania opportunities are winding down and I would have loved to see him get to have a really strong match against a very good opponent. And if ‘Taker doesn’t win, I might just throw something through Dean’s big screen TV, and that would get me in a lot of trouble!
Trish Stratus will put her Women’s Title on the line against her former partner, Mickie James. At first glance I thought this would just be another vehicle for the possibility of some lesbian action, but I think I might be wrong. Someone pointed out to me that at least these two women can wrestle. Why I missed that I don’t know, because I’ve been wondering why they bothered to bring up James, AKA Alexis Laree, from OVW in the first place and then not use her talents. This might actually be a good women’s match, and how long has it been since we could say that?
OK, so there has to be a little T and A in here somewhere, and it comes in the form of a Playgirl Pillow Fight between Torrie and Candice Michele. Enough on that.
I guess my bottom line here is that now I am actually starting to look forward to Wrestlemania. I’m glad about that. I want to be entertained and excited for this upcoming ‘Big Day’. Now I really think that I will be. So I’ll start off tonight watching the Hall of Fame Induction and I’m sure I’ll cry during Eddie’s (but WHY William Perry, will someone please tell me!!), and then meet up with a couple of others tomorrow, eat pizza, drink diet coke (yeah, I know, but I hate beer), and have a ball.
Hope all of you do the same.
Be safe and God Bless,
Viva La Raza,
Barb.
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