Originally Posted by Noid
I completely agree with Xero here. Right down to Taker facing a scrub at WrestleMania. Seriously, if they just want something for Taker to do at Mania, for the sake of Taker having something to do, have him face Michael Cole -- "Streak vs. Streak." It would not even be played too straight-faced. Cole would brag about how WrestleMania approaches and he's unbeaten, blah, blah -- cue gong and Cole shitting himself.
The whole concept of the match would be "See Michael Cole get killed," which is not something people will avoid the PPV for. Remember how hot people were for King vs. Cole this year? It was one of the most anticipated matches on the entire card. The idea of Taker destroying Cole could be a minor selling point for the PPV. You could even use it as an excuse to have Jim Ross doing the commentary for the event. JR screaming "Do it! Do it!" as Taker has Cole in position for a Tombstone could be so rewarding for fans; although they could even have JR take the high road and claim that this is "Too much brutality. Just spare the little bastard." The idea would be to get Taker on the WrestleMania card, and have him boost his record to 25-0, without really doing too much work. Then, Taker spends some more time resting his body up for one last Mania match against Cena at WrestleMania XXIX. If Cena beats The Rock, you could even have the show close with The Undertaker crashing Cena's party, and giving us another main event scheduled a year in advance.
As for Jericho -- I do have a feeling he'll be at WrestleMania. Why not? The dude can make a shit-load of money for a few weeks work, get his name back out there, etc. And it'd actually add something to the product, too. Jericho can still go and can still create more stars. Even though it would make the most sense for Jericho to come back and go after Randy Orton -- that's not really the match I'd want to see. Although, Jericho beating Orton for the World Heavyweight Title (after Orton wins it from Henry) and then defending it against Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania is. And look, you can even add Orton to that match and make it a Triple Threat and I would be cool with it. Bryan could gain so much from beating Jericho at WrestleMania, and the story goes back to Bryan's very first match in the WWE. Also, if you have Shawn Michaels at ringside for the match, there's the history between Jericho and HBK there (as bury undertones, of course -- not really a major plot point). That would be the story for Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania, in my opinion. If Jericho returns on January 2, then you could do the World Title switch pretty soon thereafter (even at the Rumble), and still have time to set Orton up with a different story. Perhaps Orton could lose the belt, but then go on to win the Royal Rumble, jump over to RAW and challenge CM Punk at WrestleMania? It'd be a rematch from last year, but Punk is pretty much re-invented at this point. You could even throw in Stone Cold Steve Austin as Special Guest Referee, and seriously start teasing Punk vs. Austin, or even Orton vs. Austin. Orton has to be involved in a high profile bout, and that seems like a good one for him.
Don't get me wrong, though -- I think if they brought Jericho back, he'd be featured on RAW with CM Punk. And that will rule. I just think that timing lends itself to Jericho vs. Bryan more than Punk vs. Jericho.
Also, despite what people are saying, I do think that Kane vs. Mark Henry could make it onto the WrestleMania card at this point, and I think it could capture the imagination of your average fan. Kane's mask returning could lead to him becoming aesthetically fresher with a new push. It won't change the quality of Kane's work, or anything like that -- but the WWE could sell some Kane masks (or rub-on tattoos). Monster vs. Monster, with Kane going over and setting off his pyro in a quick big man match, perhaps with an old-school Pete Rose run-in for the hell of it.
Of course, there will be other big matches featuring the likes of Big Show, Sheamus, The Miz, Alberto Del Rio, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Christian, Rey Mysterio (if he's healthy) and even Dolph Ziggler. I still like the idea of Cody Rhodes facing Goldust, who has Booker T in his corner. Goldust himself suggested that the match be "Title vs. Career," and that's not a bad idea. Rhodes could end the career of his big brother, and really prove to be the deranged sociopath that is concerned only with his own legacy. I'd really like to see Big Show vs. Dolph Ziggler for some reason, but throw in Jack Swagger with Ziggler and a tag team partner for Big Show. Zack Ryder? Ryder's already got heat with Ziggler, and you can have their story play-out until Mania. Sheamus vs. The Miz seems like a pretty decently interesting thrown together Mania match. Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio could have another match, given the history between the two of them. Some sort of stipulation could make it really interesting. Del Rio's cars could be against Rey Mysterio's mask, or something. Wade Barrett and Christian are then left with nothing to do, but I'm sure you can put them in some spot. Maybe just put them against Air Boom for the WWE Tag Team Titles? If they don't want to include Evan Bourne in WrestleMania plans this year due to his suspension and what-not, you could have the heels take out Bourne, and he can still appear in their corner, but his in-ring spot could go to Alex Riley, or something, since the company seems to want to push him.
Throw in a Divas Match, which will no doubt feature Beth Phoenix as an active competitor. I read that the WWE are considering Phoenix vs. Natalya, but I think those two being aligned when Kharma returns would be best. Trish Stratus might be open to another WrestleMania match, and Kelly Kelly seems to be the woman the WWE wants to promote the most. Phoenix & Natalya vs. Kelly Kelly & Trish Stratus at WrestleMania seems like a good choice for a cooler match between main event spots.
So, if you asked me, this is where I would go with WrestleMania:
* John Cena vs. The Rock
* CM Punk (c) vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship with Stone Cold Steve Austin as the Special Guest Referee
* Chris Jericho (c) vs. Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship
* The Undertaker vs. Michael Cole
* Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio - Cars vs. Mask Match
* The Miz vs. Sheamus
* Kane vs. Mark Henry
* Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Goldust for the Intercontinental Championship with Goldust's career on the line
* Big Show & Zack Ryder vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger
* Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Trish Stratus & Kelly Kelly
* Wade Barrett & Christian (c) vs. Kofi Kingston & Alex Riley for the WWE Tag Team Championship
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