Hype for Wrestlemania 38, Card Updates & Prediction fun

[Jordan]

Okay here we are in full force to Mania season again, sure not all of us care and we're not even sure that WWE cares that much! But we've got 5 or 6 weeks before the biggest WWE show of the year and the card is coming together in decent time. Hopefully not too many matches are left til the week before the show! I will keep this post updated with the current card as we go.

Wrestlemania Saturday

Raw Women's Championship: Becky Lynch vs Bianca Bel Air
Seth Rollins vs TBA
The Miz & Logan Paul vs Rey & Dominick Mysterio
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods vs. Sheamus and Ridge Holland
Drew McIntyre vs Happy Corbin
KO Show w/Steve Austin
Smackdown Women's Championship: Charlotte vs Ronda Rousey
Smackdown Tag Team Championship: The Uso's vs Nakamura & Boggs


Wrestlemania Sunday

Title vs Title - Winner Takes All: Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns
Edge vs AJ Styles
Pat McAfee vs Austin Theory
Sami Zayn vs Johnny Knoxville
Women's Tag Team Titles: Carmella & Queen Zelina vs Banks & Naomi vs Ripley & Morgan vs Natalya & Baszler
Bobby Lashley vs Omos
Raw Tag Team Titles: RK-Bro vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy

[Jordan]

I am going to attempt to take the Mania Season ride after a few years on the outs. So far we've got the above matches announced. Edge likely to face AJ styles but not confirmed. Also rumored in the last few days is a Steve Austin return to the ring against Kevin Owens and a long rumored Riddle vs Orton match.

However after Raw we have a curve in that potential outcome as KO & Seth Rollins have formed a team that may end up as tag team champions. Of course there are multiple outcomes here, Seth and KO could win and Orton & Riddle can finally go after each other. Or maybe RKBro regains the titles and defends them at Mania against whomever while Seth and KO have a match against each other.

There is no real cause for anything more than the tag goal as of this time in my opinion. I don't think KO ragging on Texas is really a sign that there is a singles match looming with Austin. I can't even see how Austin could come into Kevin Owen's orbit right now. Perhaps Austin is placed as an enforcer for a tag title match with KO & Rollins vs RKBro, and that is a safe bet for a good match so right now that's my prediction. KO & Rollins defend the belts that they will win next week against RK Bro with Austin involved in the match somehow.

IF Cody is rejoining WWE I really don't see a great match available to him right now. I can name a few off the cuff though. First and foremost but highly unlikely due to recent events is Triple H. That story writes itself pretty well, but unfortunately I don't see it happening because of Triple H's health.

Omos. Yeah I know it's laughable in a way but also I can see if Cody comes into WWE as a babyface this being a very "WWE type of story". Cody returns to WWE only to immediately come face to face (metaphorically) with his BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO DATE. And Cody wins.

New Day. Either Kofi or Big E would be a great opposition to Cody returning on Smackdown with a sense of entitlement. Big E or Kofi are great representatives of "WWE, sticking with WWE through and through, hard work paying off etc). I could see Cody going over Kofi at Mania with Big E in Kofi's corner or maybe even Cody losing to Big E and solidifying himself as a mid-card heel.

Finn Balor. I would love to see Finn win the US Championship from Damien Priest and then to be on the receiving end of Cody's debut and challenge for the US Belt at Mania. Cody with that neck tattoo just reeks of WWE US Championship sooo... also, is WWE pushing Damien Priest? Maybe Cody challenges him, I just haven't seen many people talking Priest up lately and I can't tell if they have grown tired of the Priest experiment or if I'm wrong and he's well and over.

Austin Theory. Not sure I can see anything looming for him as of now for Mania. Perhaps he's chosen by Vince to take out Cody upon his redebut. Seem's like an obvious angle, perhaps too on the nose as WWE may not want to refer to AEW strongly.

[RP]

I trust Vince knows I like my WrestleMania's with a heavy dose of Bad Bunny and Logan Paul, that mixed tag match no one ever asks for, A Mojo return, repetitive Main Events and all my black people bunched in one or two matches so we can get on to the cool white wrestlers.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Pretty pumped for this year’s Mania. Don’t normally get that way, but a lot of the bad internet takes on modern wrestling have pushed me into their corner, combined with them having the money and resources to potentially do major, major things.

I’m prepared to be disappointed, but that’s wrestling, isn’t it?

You’ve actually got some great stories going on with Brock and Roman and potentially Becky and Bianca (brewing since SummerSlam, with it arguably going back to Becky winning the Raw title in the first place). Brock/Roman really started in 2014 when Brock ended the streak.

[XL]

Bad take.

[Evil Vito]

I'm optimistic that it'll be enjoyable as a standalone show, like most of their PPVs are. The issue is I rarely come out of them feeling a desire to watch the show every week.

Mania will be an exception to this as I feel like the post-Mania Raw and SmackDowns are always "must watch" to see if they can do something fun to grab my attention. IIRC the last 3 years of post-Mania TV weeks have been flat and devoid of any real surprises, although in fairness the last 2 years were in the Performance Center and Thunderdome where it wouldn't have felt like a spectacle anyway.

Hopefully a full, live audience being back will cause some cool stuff to be lined up not just for Mania but after. Seeds are already planted for Cody to return on the post-WM Raw to confront Miz if he's actually coming back.

Anyway, definitely rooting for Mania to be fun because wrestling is better when Mania is fun.

[Evil Vito]

Hearing that Edge dropped references to both AJ and Cody in his Mania promo makes me wonder if they're still trying to talk HBK in to a Mania match (presumably against AJ) and so they've got the Edge thing as a fallback.

Actually would be kinda funny if AJ and Cody both answer the challenge, leaving Edge pissed off that he's suddenly in a triple threat again.

[drave]

Couldn't care less.

[Jordan]

I just read on Ringsidenews (obvs a sus website on some things) that WWE is waiting for this tag story with KO & Seth to finish before brining Austin onto TV. So what does that mean? Next week is the triple threat match for the tag titles with Alpha Academy vs RK Bro vs KO & Seth Rollins.

So it would probably make the most sense for RK Bro to pin one of Alpha Academy to retain or for RK Bro to have a team "miscue" that causes Orton to turn on Riddle to setup that one on one match people are talking about.

I had read somewhere early on in the Cody to WWE news that one idea was for Cody to face Seth at Mania. I don't "get it" when it comes to that angle, but I think the match could be excellent.

[drave]

I don't get Cody going back at all. He "doesn't fit" with anyone, really. Feel like anything he will do, if he even shows up, will not be remotely interesting.

[Mr. Nerfect]

What was the Edge reference? I can’t really see Cody being back befor Mania. But anything’s possible, I guess. Austin Theory is the other guy on the Raw side that could be popped in there against Seth Rollins if AJ goes with Edge.

[Lock Jaw]

Is Rollins a face or a heel? Watching Rumble he seemed clearly a face... was that only a vs. Roman Reigns face turn?

Is Austin Theory a face or a heel? For some reason thought he was a heel....

[Sepholio]

Cody vs Seth is only because HHH can't go. It'd be him if he didn't have his health issues. Seth is the closest thing to a protege that HHH has wrestling wise though (at least in terms of on screen stories over the years) so he makes sense as the fall back.

[Sepholio]

Is Rollins a face or a heel? Watching Rumble he seemed clearly a face... was that only a vs. Roman Reigns face turn?

Is Austin Theory a face or a heel? For some reason thought he was a heel....

Seth and Theory are both heels from my perspective. People cheer Seth sometimes though because he's one of those cocky shit talking heels who doesn't just go after faces. In a heel vs heel scenario Seth is the one getting the face pops.

Theory def a heel.

[Jordan]

What was the Edge reference? I can’t really see Cody being back befor Mania. But anything’s possible, I guess. Austin Theory is the other guy on the Raw side that could be popped in there against Seth Rollins if AJ goes with Edge.

He referenced "undeniable" which was a Cody gimmick early in AEW. Also Edge grouped "undeniable" with "phenomenal" and "a demon". He was hinting at a match with Cody, AJ or Finn.

[drave]

Seth is a much better heel. His outing at Rumble against Reigns was stellar from start to finish. Dressing up in Shield garb, old entrance, taunting throughout the match literally all the way till the end.


That's how you heel without being a chicken shit.

[Evil Vito]

He referenced "undeniable" which was a Cody gimmick early in AEW. Also Edge grouped "undeniable" with "phenomenal" and "a demon". He was hinting at a match with Cody, AJ or Finn.

I'd guess "Plan A" could be:

HBK vs. Styles
Cody vs. Edge
Balor vs. Priest/someone else in a US title match

But if HBK doesn't want to do it they can revert to
Styles vs. Edge
Cody vs. Balor (maybe Balor wins the US title next week if they immediately want to put a secondary belt on Cody)

[Lock Jaw]

Seth is a much better heel. His outing at Rumble against Reigns was stellar from start to finish. Dressing up in Shield garb, old entrance, taunting throughout the match literally all the way till the end.


That's how you heel without being a chicken shit.

To me all that was being a face... just a cocky flamboyant face which I thought was a nice turn and made for a cool gimmick and an actually interesting face.

[drave]

What were his motivations though? He was trying to negatively affect his opponents psyche by drudging up his past. Typically, that is not something an ambivalent person would do. A person who wishes to manipulate another by tugging on the strings of past emotions to get what they want, is more in line with a malevolent person.

[Lock Jaw]

But against a heel so it was a fresh and interesting take on a face. Thought he had just taken his heel character and pivoted it to face and thought that it would be very interesting for him.

[Mr. Nerfect]

A heel is someone you want to see get their ass kicked. A face is someone that you want to see kick ass. Steve Austin and The Rock were not heels just because they were jerks and irl that sort of person would be obnoxious and the bane of everyone’s existence. They were faces because you wanted to live vicariously through them.

[Mr. Nerfect]

He referenced "undeniable" which was a Cody gimmick early in AEW. Also Edge grouped "undeniable" with "phenomenal" and "a demon". He was hinting at a match with Cody, AJ or Finn.

Thanks. I would have definitely missed that, lol. Without hearing the actual promo, it makes me think none of those are going to be the opponents. That’s what Edge did when he started his thing with The Miz too. If you drop a few names, it might keep them floating in people’s minds, but making a concrete choice from that position is odd.

Makes me feel good about my prediction of Austin Theory for Edge. A babyface veteran against a young upstart with all the potential in the world, but none of the killer instinct to put it all into practice…yet.

That leaves Styles for Rollins. Who is the greatest performer of this generation? Seth would be the heel, possibly gaining Omos as a bodyguard to mess with Styles.

That leaves Balor to take the dark side he’s tamed against the unbridled dark side of Damian Priest in a US Title match. I did have the idea that Balor could start his own heel Balor Club faction with Omos, Grayson Waller and someone else (I’ve forgotten who else was in there), but maybe they just give that to Rollins?

I was all for HBK returning, but it just seems “too much” for one show. Maybe a special guest ref spot for Drew & Taker vs. Corbin & Moss on the SmackDown side of things? He can then have a moment where he bumps into Styles and something is teased for down the line or whatever.

[drave]

But against a heel so it was a fresh and interesting take on a face. Thought he had just taken his heel character and pivoted it to face and thought that it would be very interesting for him.




So anyone that faces a heel is automatically a face?

[Lock Jaw]

No, but he was acting pretty endearing and likeable and was getting a lot of cheers for it.... so that I'd say was a face

[Evil Vito]

Looking ahead to next year...as always Rock/Roman in LA feels like it would be WWE's dream scenario but that match has been rumored for so long it's gotten to "I'll believe it when I see it" territory.

It's simply an issue of availability. The Rock might want to do the match but he's understandably not about to turn down a $20 million movie if the schedules conflict.

No film studio is gonna allow its leading man to take a few days off to wrestle in the middle of filming. And even if he was in between films at the time, I'm not sure if the film he's working on after Mania would want him doing something physically demanding. Probably would need to be all sorts of legal mumbo jumbo involved. Especially since Rock got fucked up after his last match.

[Jordan]

Makes me feel good about my prediction of Austin Theory for Edge. A babyface veteran against a young upstart with all the potential in the world, but none of the killer instinct to put it all into practice…yet.

That leaves Styles for Rollins. Who is the greatest performer of this generation? Seth would be the heel, possibly gaining Omos as a bodyguard to mess with Styles.

That leaves Balor to take the dark side he’s tamed against the unbridled dark side of Damian Priest in a US Title match. I did have the idea that Balor could start his own heel Balor Club faction with Omos, Grayson Waller and someone else (I’ve forgotten who else was in there), but maybe they just give that to Rollins?

I was all for HBK returning, but it just seems “too much” for one show. Maybe a special guest ref spot for Drew & Taker vs. Corbin & Moss on the SmackDown side of things? He can then have a moment where he bumps into Styles and something is teased for down the line or whatever.

As much as I think AJ/Edge is a "Mania match" I actually think Theory vs Edge does make more sense, and potentially "makes" Theory. Where as Edge vs AJ is kinda "ego based", still AJ & Edge is a great match for Mania or one of the PPV's after.

I like that idea of Seth vs AJ too, I think you still get a "Mania match" with those two and gain potential with Edge and Theory.

I've not read or seen anything that would indicate that Taker or HBK are considering a match at Mania so until that hint comes I'll leave it in the dark. I don't see it right now, and I think even though the WWE roster is tighter than years past, they have a lot of big stars who "need to get on the show". That we haven't even discussed yet.

Balor vs Priest is going to happen on Raw, I can see them doing a rematch vs The Demon at Mania. I'm just not sure if WWE is hot on Priest or not because I haven't been watching. I'm not certain if he's a guy who could get cut from the packed card or if he's a lock for a match.

As you fill in the card fantasy wise it's pretty easy to leave out Cody, Taker, Shawn, Booker and Austin for actual matches on the show. It's not needed. Each night is going to get a celebrity match with Miz & Logan Paul and then Johnny Knoxville (it seems). To draw in that "wouldn't normally watch Mania" audience. I just don't see Taker going back on all of those interviews since retiring. I don't see HBK making the same mistake he made at Crown Jewel, and I don't see any reason that Austin would be interested in wrestling a match again, and I don't really even see a need for a Diva like Trish or Lita or Beth to get involved. The women's matches can be plentiful and well done with what they have.

[Jordan]

There is one opening for Cody and that is Theory with the backing of Vince McMahon. That would be a logical story if they want to label Cody as a traitor of sorts. Vince would use Theory to show him what real talent looks like.

[drave]

No, but he was acting pretty endearing and likeable and was getting a lot of cheers for it.... so that I'd say was a face




eh, I'd wager you could have placed nearly anyone in there opposite Reigns and get the crowd to cheer them.

[Lock Jaw]

Alls I'm saying is that from my outsider perspective if it looks like a face, acts like a face, booked like a face, it's a face.

[XL]

I had Edge vs Bálor booked in my head but I wouldn’t have had The Demon return to lose to Roman. You would have had Edge do a “blood bath” in the build up and that would have awoken The Demon.

[Jordan]

Looking ahead to next year...as always Rock/Roman in LA feels like it would be WWE's dream scenario but that match has been rumored for so long it's gotten to "I'll believe it when I see it" territory.

It's simply an issue of availability. The Rock might want to do the match but he's understandably not about to turn down a $20 million movie if the schedules conflict.

No film studio is gonna allow its leading man to take a few days off to wrestle in the middle of filming. And even if he was in between films at the time, I'm not sure if the film he's working on after Mania would want him doing something physically demanding. Probably would need to be all sorts of legal mumbo jumbo involved. Especially since Rock got fucked up after his last match.

The XFL is opening in the spring of 2023, I really doubt that The Rock can pull himself away from the first season of XFL and whatever films he may have on deck to do a Mania program. I just don't see it.

[XL]

I just read on Ringsidenews (obvs a sus website on some things) that WWE is waiting for this tag story with KO & Seth to finish before brining Austin onto TV. So what does that mean? Next week is the triple threat match for the tag titles with Alpha Academy vs RK Bro vs KO & Seth Rollins.

So it would probably make the most sense for RK Bro to pin one of Alpha Academy to retain or for RK Bro to have a team "miscue" that causes Orton to turn on Riddle to setup that one on one match people are talking about.

I had read somewhere early on in the Cody to WWE news that one idea was for Cody to face Seth at Mania. I don't "get it" when it comes to that angle, but I think the match could be excellent.

Triple Threat is 2 weeks away so we might be waiting a little longer for Austin. Also, RK-Bro aren’t tag champs so they wouldn’t be retaining if one of them pinned Alpha Academy. Really not sure where they go with either of the tag titles. They could continue to ride the momentum of RK-Bro and not do the split, but who do you put them in with that feels big? RK-Bro vs Rollins/Owens feels like a pretty worthy Mania match (and a indictment of the tag division) but KO seems lined up elsewhere. I guess you could do that tag, have Rollins/Owens lose, have Owens start running down Texas, glass shatters, Austin makes his appearance and gives Owens a Stunner, shares a beer with Orton and Riddle.

SmackDown side feels even more difficult to call. Did they do the non-match at EC to try and drag Usos vs Vikings to Mania? Doesn’t feel particularly “heavyweight”, and they’ll likely want to do something with The New Day too, but the combination of New Day/Usos has been done to death, albeit it’s a guaranteed decent match. Maybe a multi-team ladder match? Usos vs. New Day vs. Vikings? Though they’ve missed the 20 year anniversary of TLCII at Mania 17 which would have been a nice call back.

I got to thinking this Ciampa/Ziggler thing could lead to a DIY reunion to take on The Dirty Dogz, if Gargano wanted to continue with WWE but does that feel a bit lightweight for Mania too? And potentially one too many tag team matches?

[XL]

Thanks. I would have definitely missed that, lol. Without hearing the actual promo, it makes me think none of those are going to be the opponents. That’s what Edge did when he started his thing with The Miz too. If you drop a few names, it might keep them floating in people’s minds, but making a concrete choice from that position is odd.

Makes me feel good about my prediction of Austin Theory for Edge. A babyface veteran against a young upstart with all the potential in the world, but none of the killer instinct to put it all into practice…yet.

That leaves Styles for Rollins. Who is the greatest performer of this generation? Seth would be the heel, possibly gaining Omos as a bodyguard to mess with Styles.

That leaves Balor to take the dark side he’s tamed against the unbridled dark side of Damian Priest in a US Title match. I did have the idea that Balor could start his own heel Balor Club faction with Omos, Grayson Waller and someone else (I’ve forgotten who else was in there), but maybe they just give that to Rollins?

I was all for HBK returning, but it just seems “too much” for one show. Maybe a special guest ref spot for Drew & Taker vs. Corbin & Moss on the SmackDown side of things? He can then have a moment where he bumps into Styles and something is teased for down the line or whatever.

How about HBK as Guest Ref for that Seth/Styles match? A battle to determine the greatest performer of the generation presided over by the “Greatest Performer of All Time”?

[Mr. Nerfect]

How about HBK as Guest Ref for that Seth/Styles match? A battle to determine the greatest performer of the generation presided over by the “Greatest Performer of All Time”?

That’s a pretty likely spot. I had him as special ref in Drew/Taker vs. Corbin/Moss. Ends with a Double Tombstone with HBK counting the pin.

[Triple A]

Vince McMahon may be wrestling Pat McAfee at WrestleMania apparently?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A significant program is expected for WrestleMania 38 involving another major name, <a href="https://twitter.com/POSTwrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POSTwrestling</a> can confirm<a href="https://t.co/MXsWbwQ4Mm">https://t.co/MXsWbwQ4Mm</a></p>&mdash; John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamjohnpollock/status/1497412273404772354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Jordan]

Rumor is Vince McMahon vs Pat McAfee... dot dot dot

[screech]

Vince will be on McAfee's show Thursday.

[slik]

Vince is 76...interesting...

[Jordan]

Vince vs Cody makes a lot more sense than Pat vs Vince... Vince .... maybe he should just wrestle Austin lol.

[Evil Vito]

McAfee was shit talking Cody on his show earlier this week too. So this think with Vince might all somehow intertwine.

[Gerard]

Still doing this 2 night bullshit. Takes away any special feeling for the ppv, the first night just comes off as an extended preshow

[screech]

Two four-hour shows is so much better than one eight-hour show.

[Jordan]

Last year one of the shows was much better than the other. I think they still stand a chance at both shows being good. I also like two regular length shows back to back rather than a full 7 hour event.

[Lock Jaw]

Two four-hour shows is so much better than one eight-hour show.

Was it ever that long?! I remember it being four hours (plus a 1 hr preshow with one or two matches and a lot of promos/talking)

[slik]

Vince/Theory/KO

vs

Austin/MacAfee/Cody

[Lock Jaw]

Gail Kim as special ref

[screech]

Was it ever that long?! I remember it being four hours (plus a 1 hr preshow with one or two matches and a lot of promos/talking)

Might have been 7 - preshow at 5 and the show ended after 12. The year Rousey/Becky/Charlotte closed. Joan Jett played Ronda to the ring and that happened at midnight.

[Jordan]

Vince/Theory/KO

vs

Austin/MacAfee/Cody

I can jive with that.

[Evil Vito]

Might have been 7 - preshow at 5 and the show ended after 12. The year Rousey/Becky/Charlotte closed. Joan Jett played Ronda to the ring and that happened at midnight.

Yeah, it was a 7.5 hour show. I was there live and I could barely keep my eyes open, not because it was a bad show but because it’s such a fucking long time to sit in a stadium. The crowd peaked at Bryan/Kofi midway through the show and it never recovered. Poor Angle wrestled Boring Corbin in his retirement match and nobody gave a shit that late in the night.

I would rather one concise, 4 hour show with the important stuff. But two separate nights is still better than a marathon.

[fundiddle]

i predict night one to suck a racehorse's bootyhole and night two to lick a moose's dick


that was fun

[Mr. Nerfect]

Vince/Theory/KO

vs

Austin/MacAfee/Cody

Not shitting on your idea, but that just wouldn’t do it for me. Split them into singles, imo.

That could be Backlash.

[screech]

Yeah one 4-hour show would be ideal but that probably won't happen again. WrestleMania became "how can we get everyone on the card?" rather than "here's the best of the best" a while ago.

[Blonde Moment]

Vince/Theory/KO

vs

Austin/MacAfee/Cody

Theory with Vince in corner and Shinske with MacAfee would make more sense but first thought was Cody as well but don't exactly see a reason for Cody to give a shit yet

[XL]

It’s gonna be Vince vs. Pat. Vince is going to go off on Pat on his show; “How dare you shit on Cody Rhodes! That’s my job. You’ve stolen my thunder you sonofabitch!!”

They have a match for the undisputed right to bury Cody.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Pat will ask Vince if he’s out of touch. Or if he’s still got it. Vince will go into crazy old man mode and say that he’s always ready to go. Then he’ll challenge Pat to show up to fight at Mania.

[Jordan]

I've got a hunch that WWE is going to have a Mania 10 style tournament on night 1 to crown and Undisputed WWE Women's Champion. Just announced is Bianca and Becky on night 1 joining Charlotte & Ronda.

I like having them both on the same night and it feels like it's going in the direction I am predicting it will but we shall see. If this unification happens then I think that a tag unification would be the best call for a great tag team title match. I'd imagine we'd get RK Bro winning the Raw title in the upcoming Triple Threat Tag Tittle match on Raw.

I'm not sure if WWE would do a similar mini tournament or not but it would also make sense to get certain people on the show.

[Jordan]

By the way I've read that Meltzer says they won't do one champion even though they are doing this unification match, we'll see if he's right.

[Evil Vito]

I'd imagine Vince vs. McAfee is no DQ, which essentially turns it into Theory vs. McAfee with Vince barking instructions.

[Rammsteinmad]

Yeah one 4-hour show would be ideal but that probably won't happen again. WrestleMania became "how can we get everyone on the card?" rather than "here's the best of the best" a while ago.

Exactly this. It's lost it's appeal as the best event of the year to me because it's not about the best matches or spectacle anymore, just the most matches/people/guests in one night.

[Evil Vito]

Like, I understand the desire to want to get everyone a pay day after working hard all year but that's what the Andre Battle Royal was meant to be for. Actually kinda funny to look at the WM30 card and see that there were some actual big names in it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was skeptical of Charlotte and Ronda headlining night one due to politics. And probably crowd reaction. It could be inconsequential that Becky and Bianca is the same night, because I don’t think either is going to headline.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You can give talent paydays without needing to throw them onto the card.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Apparently Ricochet is slated for a lot of focus moving forward. He’s the guy stepping up to Sami Zayn for the IC Title. There’s a very good chance he wins it and is the kayfabe coach and babyface to get the rub from this whole Jackass thing.

[XL]

Did Sasha and Naomi just declare themselves the #1 Contenders for the Women’s Tag belts? lol

[Jordan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FightOwensFight</a> I got a little message for you. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DontMessWithTexas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DontMessWithTexas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WrestleMania?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WrestleMania</a> <a href="https://t.co/i0dh0KwdAV">pic.twitter.com/i0dh0KwdAV</a></p>&mdash; Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x) <a href="https://twitter.com/BookerT5x/status/1498796164799414277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


I am in for it. I miss Booker.

[drave]

Booker still in great shape and always looked great in-ring.




But.....




King Bookah or GTFO

[xrodmuc316]

I wouldnt mind them setting up the Vince/Pat match, having Theory jump Pat, then Vince turning it into a tornado tag match where Pat has to get a partner, and it being Stone Cold. That would suck for Owens but if Vince is gonna wrestle and Stone Cold is gonna wrestle, how could they not fight each other?

[Jordan]

I wouldnt mind them setting up the Vince/Pat match, having Theory jump Pat, then Vince turning it into a tornado tag match where Pat has to get a partner, and it being Stone Cold. That would suck for Owens but if Vince is gonna wrestle and Stone Cold is gonna wrestle, how could they not fight each other?

Totally agree. And they can maybe do this Booker T vs Kevin Owens match and I think that would be a lot of fun! Suckaaaaa

[xrodmuc316]

Totally agree. And they can maybe do this Booker T vs Kevin Owens match and I think that would be a lot of fun! Suckaaaaa

Ill never complain about a Booker T match!

[#1-norm-fan]

People used to always ask “What happens when all the old stars get too old and they can’t trot them out in lieu of making new stars”? Welp… There’s no shortage of Bad Bunnys and Logan Pauls though.

Reigns is the closest they’ve come to building a new star by a mile and if the rumoured card is even mostly true he won’t be in the top 5 biggest stars on the card.

[Jordan]

People used to always ask “What happens when all the old stars get too old and they can’t trot them out in lieu of making new stars”? Welp… There’s no shortage of Bad Bunnys and Logan Pauls though.

Reigns is the closest they’ve come to building a new star by a mile and if the rumoured card is even mostly true he won’t be in the top 5 biggest stars on the card.

I think that both Brock and Roman are at "that level". I don't even think a returning Steve Austin at this stage, will mean more to the current WWE marks, than the Roman/Lesnar match.

[Rammsteinmad]

Really hope Reigns beats Lesnar. I'm a sucker for long title reigns, and Reigns has been really entertaining throughout all of this.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don’t think it’s the end of the world if Brock wins, but Roman winning seems the likely outcome.

[rez]

This will prolly be the best WM in a decade! pumped

[Jordan]

Apparently Cody is "on the schedule" for Wrestlemania.

[slik]

Austin Theory going to humble 'Mad Dog' MacAfee at Mania baybay

[XL]

Guess we’re getting Usos vs Naks/Boogs. Could throw in New Day and Sheamus and Holland to make it a Fourway?

[Mr. Nerfect]

The SmackDown side is basically shaping up to be largely what I expected but with Ricochet in the Cesaro spot as IC Champion.

[Sepholio]

how the hell is the MSG show not being aired? As much as they hyped that up and there is no way to watch it....wtf WWE. Baffling.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Doesn’t it cost a lot of money to record at MSG? But that being said, apparently they are recording Brock vs. whoever at the very least.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’ve got a feeling that Owens and Austin isn’t going to happen. They don’t need it. There is no pressure on them to need to play that hand. And once Austin is gone, you’re going to miss him again.

I can see Owens eating a Stunner, but that’s about it. Wrestling doesn’t deserve Stone Cold right now.

[Jordan]

The back and forth reports on Cody, is he WWE bound or isn't he, is he on the Mania card internally or isn't he? Well my gut says he's not WWE bound now.

Similar reports with Austin and McMahon, doesn't seem to be any type of "lock" that either will wrestle on the show. Obviously that's okay. It's probably best if they want to switch the Kevin Owens vs Texas idea to go with Booker T who can have a better match than Austin probably and also will have a lot less pressure than Austin would.

You can have Austin corner Pat and Vince corner Theory to give more shine to that match as well.

[#1-norm-fan]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hyLlNuUI1H4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Pat admitting to Vince that he used to watch WrestleMania illegally. :lol:

[slik]

VADER going into the HOF

[Mr. Nerfect]

The back and forth reports on Cody, is he WWE bound or isn't he, is he on the Mania card internally or isn't he? Well my gut says he's not WWE bound now.

Similar reports with Austin and McMahon, doesn't seem to be any type of "lock" that either will wrestle on the show. Obviously that's okay. It's probably best if they want to switch the Kevin Owens vs Texas idea to go with Booker T who can have a better match than Austin probably and also will have a lot less pressure than Austin would.

You can have Austin corner Pat and Vince corner Theory to give more shine to that match as well.

I don’t think there would have been a change in situation. Cody would have to be wise enough to know he was not going to be featured at WrestleMania from the start. It’s more likely Dave or whoever was just making stuff up/reporting AEW bias because Vince is in all their heads.

[xrodmuc316]

I don’t think there would have been a change in situation. Cody would have to be wise enough to know he was not going to be featured at WrestleMania from the start. It’s more likely Dave or whoever was just making stuff up/reporting AEW bias because Vince is in all their heads.

This, Dave Meltzer guesses but reports it as fact, then when it doesn't happen he makes a new guess, reports the new guess as fact, and instead of owning up to his bullshit, he says plans changed.

[xrodmuc316]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hyLlNuUI1H4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Pat admitting to Vince that he used to watch WrestleMania illegally. :lol:

Vince is DEFINITELY docking Pat's Mania check by $1500 to make up for those pirated Manias :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[#1-norm-fan]

Hearing Vince talk about The Attitude Era during that interview, you can just tell how much he longs for those days. It’s sad. He even kinda expresses envy for Pat Mcafee not being tied down by a network and being able to do what he wants.

[Sting Fan]

Outside of Edge vs. AJ (or anything AJ does really) there isnt a match on the card so far I'm interested in.

I'm about a 50-50 hit rate on buying Mania since WCW closed but this is probably the first time there isnt a decent portion of the card at least tempting me.

[drave]

god, just pay for peacock for 1 month and don't waste whatever premium price tag they are putting on the event on-demand (if they are still)

[Jordan]

Looks likely that the early reports of Steve Austin working a return match were premature and too hopeful. Some would say it's for the best and they'd probably be right but it is a bit of a deflation from the original story of Austin working a match.

Also there is nothing online suggesting that Cody is near a WWE contract right now so that potential surprise/element seems to be shot. It was looking like a lot of freak show type match making could have made a very memorable show but now it's not looking that great on paper.

I think at this point the biggest players without a match are The New Day, Uso's, Rollins & RK Bro and the potential match making isn't that exciting.

[drave]

The KO show segment will see KO eat a stunner, axe kick, finished with a spinarooni from Booker, who will then get stunner'd by Austin. He will then celebrate on the ring posts, probably sans beer.

[Evil Vito]

Seth is/was exactly the type of opponent I could see Cody working because it would be a good match, makes Cody feel like a big deal coming in and working with someone important. But surely they'd need to start that build by next week if it's going to happen.

Anyway, Austin not actually wrestling is probably the right call. The KO Show might involve some brawling and a Stunner which is probably all most of the audience wants.

[drave]

The Cody thing has been dumb from the start. It doesn't make any sense at all. That isn't to say it won't happen, but it will be so damn pointless.


They won't mention AEW on-air, or even allude to it - so there's no "angle" there with that.


And CAWdy has always been just...... boring. You could put him and Christian and Lance Storm in a Freebird Tag Team and they'd be the most boring tag team of all time, we can call them BOAT.

[fundiddle]

anyone that thought austin was going to lace up the boots again is kinda dumb/desperate/both


also, let's stop pretending we care about cody

[weather vane]

More like zerofundiddle.

[drave]

What's fun about cawdy?




There'd be nothing fun about Austin in his current shape. He knows better and if he does anything, it'll be a spot in the KO show. He knows this, and it would be best to "protect the legacy" of the Stone Cold character, in my opinion.


Undertaker was always my favorite, ever since I was a kid. I cringed at how long he stuck around, even after saying he wouldn't be one of those guys in an interview years before. I pretend Undertaker's last match was HBK I and II

[weather vane]

I’m not watching so I don’t care much. Would of tuned in for an actual Austin match though. Will watch the viral clips of Cody if he actually makes the jump.

[drave]

would have*

[weather vane]

Yeah. I always fuck that up. Probably will forever.

[weather vane]

Also SMP.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OH HELL YEAH!<a href="https://twitter.com/steveaustinBSR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveAustinBSR</a> has accepted <a href="https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FightOwensFight</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WrestleMania?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WrestleMania</a> 38 invitation! <a href="https://t.co/7x5t41nDBg">pic.twitter.com/7x5t41nDBg</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1501242636543352836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Sting Fan]

god, just pay for peacock for 1 month and don't waste whatever premium price tag they are putting on the event on-demand (if they are still)

Based on this card I’m not even doing that… Cody Vs. Seth might get me that far.

[Mr. Nerfect]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OH HELL YEAH!<a href="https://twitter.com/steveaustinBSR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveAustinBSR</a> has accepted <a href="https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FightOwensFight</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WrestleMania?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WrestleMania</a> 38 invitation! <a href="https://t.co/7x5t41nDBg">pic.twitter.com/7x5t41nDBg</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1501242636543352836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Goosebumps.

[fundiddle]

More like zerofundiddle.
okay fine, maybe he'll wear boots in order to properly stomp the proverbial mudhole

[XL]

What’s left to work out?

Something for Seth if not Cody.
Something for Ricochet/IC Championship.
Balor vs. Priest for the US Championship? Demon vs. Damian?
Something for the SD Tag Titles, Usos vs. Naks & Boogs?
Battle Royal(s)?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Seth really seems like the odd guy out. Might explain his weird tweet about Brock and Roman being promoted as the biggest Mania match ever.

He doesn’t fit anywhere obvious. I mean, he could always do a random match against Naks or Ricochet? It would be great for a certain audience, but there’s no meat to it.

On the Raw side, he could be left jamming himself into the US Title picture — either as a Triple Threat or with Priest getting the bump to the Battle Royal, which he could win. Or he could wrestle Montez Ford in a “my wife is going to beat your wife” match. Or he could be the dude who ends up working with Omos. I think Omos is supposed to be a heel, but I can see them just forcing that.

Unless Lashley can get back. But what’s the real story there? They had that Raw match, but eh.

This just doesn’t feel like Seth’s Mania.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There’s the chance they could do Seth and Owens in a Tag Title on night one and night two is Austin.

[Jordan]

I know that Cody is the planned matchup for Seth if the Cody deal goes down. They have to have a backup in mind, I am wondering if that could be Bron Breakker?

[XL]

There’s the chance they could do Seth and Owens in a Tag Title on night one and night two is Austin.

Yeah the Raw Tag match isn’t cemented yet. I’d like to see Alpha Academy get something for their work but RKBro vs Owens/Rollins is a bigger match. But then you want to find something for Street Profits to do too. Maybe they could do a gauntlet/turmoil match like they did with the ladies last year?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I know that Cody is the planned matchup for Seth if the Cody deal goes down. They have to have a backup in mind, I am wondering if that could be Bron Breakker?

Seth/Bron did cross my mind. But that’s A LOT for the guy. Still, if you want to strap a rocket to someone…

Yeah the Raw Tag match isn’t cemented yet. I’d like to see Alpha Academy get something for their work but RKBro vs Owens/Rollins is a bigger match. But then you want to find something for Street Profits to do too. Maybe they could do a gauntlet/turmoil match like they did with the ladies last year?

I feel pretty much exactly the same way as you, haha. You could do RKBro vs. Owens/Rollins night one as well as Alpha Academy vs. Street Profits. Then do RKBro vs. AA on night two.

[XL]

Just listened to a report with the following:

Ricochet/Sheamus (IC Title)
RK-Bro/Street Profits (maybe + Alphas)
Usos/Naks & Boogs (could end up a multi team deal)
Teams added to the Womens Tag Title Match inc. Natalya + a partner

[drave]

Sounds like a Smackdown card tbh

[slik]

WWE has cancelled this year's Axxcess for WM and will instead have a 'superstore' where fans can buy merchandise

[Gerard]

Seeing some of the comments of undertaker being the biggest HOF inductee ever online is fucking comical.

He was a big name yeah but not on the same level as Andre, Austin, Hogan or the Rock. Only thing he has over those names is being active in the same company longer. Shit like "the streak" doesn't even factor in as its unlikely that was ever planned from the outset. They only really started going on about it when he reached 10-0 vs flair at Mania 18 when someone backstage clued into the fact he hadn't been booked to lose at mania, so they made it a big yearly spunkathon about him being 10-0 from that point onwards.

[XL]

I wouldn’t be so quick to poo-poo that notion. He’s definitely up there. He’s had a longer run than any of the names you mentioned, worked through the height of the business and has spun of a legacy of other characters in the industry.

I think you’re judging The Streak too harshly too. If we’re discounting things that weren’t planned out then you can take Austin out of the picture altogether. He wasn’t brought in to be what he became; the Austin 3:16 phenomenon was born completely serendipitously not dreamt up by “creative” with a plan to get him over. They were both scenarios that they managed to capitalise on.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was fine with SP being out of the immediate title picture because I could have envisioned either guy winning the Andre Battle Royal. Ford seems like the one more ready to break-out, but you could always give it to Dawkins so he’s “got something” (even if it’s just the Battle Royal).

Finding that Seth opponent is the real challenge.

[slik]

Volunteers? In this economy?!


https://i.postimg.cc/SNfbmNPh/FNsu3-Zk-VQAAa-NVr.jpg

[slik]

"We'll give you a SUPERSTORE AXXCESS exclusive shirt"

Sounds like an employee uniform to me

[XL]

So bringing “Butch” to the main roster suggested they were moving towards Sheamus/Holland/“Butch” vs New Day which suggests Sheamus/Ricochet wasn’t the idea. Obvs that’s up in the air with Big E out. Assuming Woods is nearly ready to go do they continue with Woods & Kingston vs. Sheamus & Holland or “Butch”, or change direction altogether?

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: The <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEUsos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWEUsos</a> will put the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmackDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SmackDown</a> Tag Team Titles on the line against <a href="https://twitter.com/ShinsukeN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShinsukeN</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/rickboogswwe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rickboogswwe</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleMania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WrestleMania</a> Saturday.<a href="https://t.co/08QNwUe1L3">https://t.co/08QNwUe1L3</a> <a href="https://t.co/G0f87LsI7V">pic.twitter.com/G0f87LsI7V</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1502724320560308230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

So bringing “Butch” to the main roster suggested they were moving towards Sheamus/Holland/“Butch” vs New Day which suggests Sheamus/Ricochet wasn’t the idea. Obvs that’s up in the air with Big E out. Assuming Woods is nearly ready to go do they continue with Woods & Kingston vs. Sheamus & Holland or “Butch”, or change direction altogether?

Probably stay with the New Day/Sheamus plan. Ricochet might be added to the match to make it a six-man? But nah, I see them sticking to the plan with Butch at ringside. He’s just shown up — he’s not exactly guaranteed a WrestleMania spot.

[Mr. Nerfect]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: The <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEUsos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWEUsos</a> will put the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmackDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SmackDown</a> Tag Team Titles on the line against <a href="https://twitter.com/ShinsukeN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShinsukeN</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/rickboogswwe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rickboogswwe</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleMania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WrestleMania</a> Saturday.<a href="https://t.co/08QNwUe1L3">https://t.co/08QNwUe1L3</a> <a href="https://t.co/G0f87LsI7V">pic.twitter.com/G0f87LsI7V</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1502724320560308230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That’s actually a pretty good spot for Nakamura. The Usos are an important act. Naks will probably get time and focus as a featured babyface in this. Probably the biggest thing he’s done at Mania since the WWE Title match.

[XL]

Probably stay with the New Day/Sheamus plan. Ricochet might be added to the match to make it a six-man? But nah, I see them sticking to the plan with Butch at ringside. He’s just shown up — he’s not exactly guaranteed a WrestleMania spot.

I don’t think this will be the case, but could be it’s Ridge that’s dropped after taking Big E out of the picture, but Kofi/Woods/Ricochet vs. Sheamus/Holland/Butch could work, I’d just prefer the IC title was given a little more thought for the biggest card of the year. That said, wouldn’t be the first time it’s not been defended at Mania.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I just had a thought about a potential Seth Rollins opponent. As much as I am not a fan of him, Elias is free and ready. A lot of people speculate that he’s “on the bubble,” but at points they have obviously loved him. In their universe, he is a “name.” Rollins vs. Elias might not be the hottest program on paper, and it may not even be a very good match, but it isn’t the most egregiously nothing match in Mania history either.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don’t think this will be the case, but could be it’s Ridge that’s dropped after taking Big E out of the picture, but Kofi/Woods/Ricochet vs. Sheamus/Holland/Butch could work, I’d just prefer the IC title was given a little more thought for the biggest card of the year. That said, wouldn’t be the first time it’s not been defended at Mania.

Nothing about any of that side of things “feels right.” I guess Ricochet being in there with The New Day would be typical WWE. But maybe they’ll just do Ricochet vs. Sheamus and have Holland & Dunne work New Day?

Jeff Hardy and Cesaro leaving has probably stifled a few plays.

If they just do Sheamus & Dunne vs. New Day and have Ricochet defend against someone else, there are options. Madcap Moss isn’t doing anything. You could do some sort of gauntlet with Angel Garza, Humberto and maybe even someone like Drew Gulak. There’s no build to it, but it would be good wrestling.

I can see them just doing a random Battle Royal, having Moss win and that just being the match. It’s also possible that someone like Happy Corbin buys his way into the IC Title match on Night 2 if he’s wrestling Drew on Night 1. There are options.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It’s a shame they got rid of Morrison, because Ricochet vs. Morrison for the IC Title would be fun as shit at Mania.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If they had put Zayn vs. Knoxville on Night 1, Zayn could have done that and then challenged Ricochet on Night 2.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Maybe they just call up Gunther?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Most obvious thing to do, in my opinion, is Ricochet vs. Moss. New Day faces Sheamus & Butch (you’re right, I think Ridge becomes the outside muscle). And I’ve not convinced myself of that random Seth vs. Elias idea.

[drave]

gunther is DOA based on name alone.

[Sepholio]

I might be weird, but a persons name has never factored into whether or not I think they are good at what they do.

[drave]

You are not part of the unwashed masses.

[drave]

Shoulda just named him Gunnar, which is the "english" version of it.


Then there coulda been a nice "Gunnar has signed with DubyaDubyaEee" graphic.


Butch is also very dumb. Even if it is a nickname, it will be whittled down to Butch if the gimmick doesn't die first.

[Evil Vito]

I can know a performer is brilliant but there are certain names that just seem impossible to believe as actual, marquee headliners.

Just imagining the media blitz of Mike Tyson's involvement in the WreslteMania main event between Shawn Michaels and Chilly McFreeze.

[Fignuts]

How many guys who have had there name shortened actually made it out of the mid card.

[XL]

WALTER to GUNTHER is actually one of the least egregious. If Pete Dunne really is going by “Butch” now, just, just…what the?

[Lock Jaw]

How many guys who have had there name shortened actually made it out of the mid card.

Triple H

[XL]

That’s a good answer tbf. The exception that proved the rule?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Rocky Maivia
Cain the Undertaker
Montel Vontavious Porter (albeit as a manager)

I’d argue that Carlito, Mr. Kennedy, Cesaro and Rusev were not hurt by their name drops either. Finlay just being Finlay worked fine for him too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

World Wrestling Entertainment to WWE?

[Fignuts]

Most of those guys never got out of the mid card. And Cain was dropped so fast I wouldnt even count that one

The Rock and Triple H werent just a drop of the last name, but a complete change in identity to suit the direction of the company. Thats why they worked.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Most of those guys never got out of the mid card. And Cain was dropped so fast I wouldnt even count that one

The Rock and Triple H werent just a drop of the last name, but a complete change in identity to suit the direction of the company. Thats why they worked.

No, but I think those are semantics in the end. The point I’m trying to make js that people make a big fuss out of these name changes, but they don’t really matter. Fans get attached and don’t like something changing (me among them in many cases).

WALTER is a silly name too.

[Lock Jaw]

Big E Langston to Big E

[Mr. Nerfect]

Bill Goldberg to Goldberg.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Kofi Nahaje Kingston to Kofi Kingston.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Speaking of Goldberg, I saw someone suggest him as the Seth opponent. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. I guess it might be because I didn’t think we’d see him so soon. But Goldberg makes thematic sense. Owens is working Austin. Rollins wants to make the Mania card but needs something “big” for it. It also kind of fits because we last saw Goldberg lose to Roman, a guy Seth apparently has the number of.

Something about it seems unlikely though. Don’t know why.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Titty Honking Match against Dana Brooke for the 24/7 Title.

[XL]

Big E Langston to Big E

Bill Goldberg to Goldberg.

Kofi Nahaje Kingston to Kofi Kingston.

These are not the same as Pete Dunne to Butch. That’s in the Piper Niven to Doudrop category.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Dave Bautista to Batista.

[slik]

RAW is so f'n unwatchable, seems like it's gotten worse since I quit watching it regularly...trying to watch for the road to WM but damn...


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is a WrestleMania 31 build with a WrestleMania 32 payoff, probably one of the weirdest wrestlemanias of the last decade.</p>&mdash; Stylus Surgeon (@nicwinsteadart) <a href="https://twitter.com/nicwinsteadart/status/1503570664480915458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Sepholio]

Feel like Seth is gonna get beat up by Taker in a throw away segment at Mania. Not a match, just Seth out there running his mouth, Taker pops up and chokeslams/tombstones him, everybody cheers, next.

[XL]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: The <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEUsos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWEUsos</a> will put the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmackDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SmackDown</a> Tag Team Titles on the line against <a href="https://twitter.com/ShinsukeN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShinsukeN</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/rickboogswwe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rickboogswwe</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleMania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WrestleMania</a> Saturday.<a href="https://t.co/08QNwUe1L3">https://t.co/08QNwUe1L3</a> <a href="https://t.co/G0f87LsI7V">pic.twitter.com/G0f87LsI7V</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1502724320560308230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I “called” this one (an easy one tbf). I convinced myself for a minute watching SmackDown that we were gonna get The Usos vs. The Dudleys :lol: what with the 1D thing and the use of the 3D for their finish. Maybe they’re building to Usos vs. One Direction at WrestleMania Goes Hollywood II?

[XL]

Are they gonna make Seth the “Host of WrestleMania” to give him something to do?

[Mr. Nerfect]

He’ll surely work a match.

They’ll pop him against Riddle or Orton if they’ve got nothing else.

[XL]

That would be superb. Though I’ve heard Seth is better with the oboe.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Can’t I watch Becky have sex with someone else?

[Lock Jaw]

Who would you prefer?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Maybe Rick Boogs, Austin Theory or Chad Gable (just for the workrate).

[Mr. Nerfect]

As an opponent for Seth using the current roster, how about Apollo Crews? It’s easy to forget he’s on the roster, but it wouldn’t be too hard to get him into Seth’s face to get him to quiet up about his bitching. It would be a fine match. Nothing special, on paper, but they could let both guys go and I think they’d have a banger.

[Jordan]

Steve Austin is doing this because his beer is going national. Which is a really big deal, so he needs to remind people who he is. I don't think this will be his "last match" from the interviews I'm reading. I think he's getting really into the training, probably like he was on Tough Enough, he got real hungry to get back in the ring that season.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I keep hearing Austin say it’s his last match, but I can definitely see it turning into a run. Proving he can be the biggest star in wrestling at his age is a good way to get attention on him for his beer and also potential TV/movie roles.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’d be shocked if the WWE doesn’t try to get Austin vs. Goldberg into the ring.

[Lock Jaw]

They keep saying it is a "KO Show" and not a match.... but then they keep talking like it is a match and they are just meeting to fight

[drave]

It'll be one of the most stupendous moments if Mania history!

[Mr. Nerfect]

They keep saying it is a "KO Show" and not a match.... but then they keep talking like it is a match and they are just meeting to fight

Modern WWE makes me think they’re just trying to have their cake and eat it too. But logic would usually dictate that they are trying to undersell and overdeliver. You’d think that if Austin is going to go they would just advertise this as a match though. Maybe they are just waiting for an angle or something? Or maybe they want the surreal moment at Mania? I dunno. It is annoying and half-baked at the moment.

[owenbunny]

https://c.tenor.com/buRXssKIDoAAAAAC/bad-bunny-john-morrison.gif

[drave]

good bunny

[Mr. Nerfect]

Gable Steveson tweeted he was going to be at WrestleMania 38 before deleting it. He could have just been letting people know he was going to be in attendance for the show, but the deletion of the tweet makes it seem like it was supposed to mean something else, and he either let it slip or it’s all part of stirring the pot.

[drave]

ofc he will be - they've been talking about him for ages.




I get those WWE surveys where they field shit before publicly releasing it, and at this point I'm tired of that dude already. At least in their "questionnaires" they asked how interesting it would be to bring in different Olympic athletes and if they would be a "good fit".


No, natural athletes are not always a good fit. I think he'll get decent screen time because he seems to be one of Vince's projects. But everything else says he will be future endeavored in less than 2 years.

[Mr. Nerfect]

ofc he will be - they've been talking about him for ages.




I get those WWE surveys where they field shit before publicly releasing it, and at this point I'm tired of that dude already. At least in their "questionnaires" they asked how interesting it would be to bring in different Olympic athletes and if they would be a "good fit".


No, natural athletes are not always a good fit. I think he'll get decent screen time because he seems to be one of Vince's projects. But everything else says he will be future endeavored in less than 2 years.

I don’t watch the show weekly, so the last I heard about him was when he got drafted to Raw. Well, also that he’s going for his second NCAA championship via the news sites or whatever. Have no clue how much they talk about him on the air. I also don’t get emails from WWE.

There is something funny about someone with a Danhausen avatar talking about how they are sick of someone getting so much seemingly unwarranted attention. :p

I’m a little confused. Do you actually think that Gable Steveson is going to be released by the WWE within 2 years?

[drave]

I don't watch it weekly ever. By "they" I meant "the suits" who are in charge of talent. They were putting feelers out about getting "athletes" from colleges around the country.


Fun fact, I've watched less than 30 minutes of Danhausen footage total. What I do watch is very funny, very evil. You drank the litre of piss I was taking I guess.


I think he will be big at first, fizzle out to nothing and either be holding down catering or released, yes.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m still just a little bit confused. I had no clue the suits were always going on about him, lol. Last I heard was when he was drafted. They announced a debut ahead of time ages ago, but beyond that I just know he’s training. And he’s probably going to be a massive deal.

I cannot see this guy being released or kept in catering, lol.

[#1-norm-fan]

Danhausen is a better entertainer than pretty much anyone in wrestling nowadays.

[XL]

It’s actually really wholesome how Noid has faith in WWE not missing on a “can’t miss” talent. Takes me back to a less cynical time.

[#1-norm-fan]

Or a more CyNickal time, RIGHT????

[drave]

I’m still just a little bit confused. I had no clue the suits were always going on about him, lol. Last I heard was when he was drafted. They announced a debut ahead of time ages ago, but beyond that I just know he’s training. And he’s probably going to be a massive deal.

I cannot see this guy being released or kept in catering, lol.




Yeah next time I get one of these things, I'll get some screengrabs and post them so you too, right here in TPWW, can see what they have "in the pipeline".

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah next time I get one of these things, I'll get some screengrabs and post them so you too, right here in TPWW, can see what they have "in the pipeline".

I know they do it, but that sort of stuff would be interesting to see.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It’s actually really wholesome how Noid has faith in WWE not missing on a “can’t miss” talent. Takes me back to a less cynical time.

I mean, you can look at it like I’m being optimistic, but there is a cynical side to their plans are going to be their plans too. They snatched this guy up while he was still in college and have sent training facilities to his campus to get him ready ASAP. And this is all happening real time. Vince would be getting reports about the guy’s progress. They’re not going to plaster the guy’s face all over everything if he isn’t ready enough, you know?

If anyone is going to be safe, it’s Gable Steveson. Ahead of Bron Breakker or one of Vince’s grandkids if they decide to break in.

[Rammsteinmad]

Go-home Raw next week and Lesnar/Reigns is still the only match that feels important and Wrestlemania worthy. I miss the 90's/2000's.

[Jordan]

Day one especially really weak right now. Especially if the potential Cody/Rollins match is on night 2.

[Jordan]

Omos vs Lashley on tap for Mania.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There’s a Mania-worthy card in here. I can’t speak to the build in anything other than the big strokes. Brock vs. Roman, Becky vs. Bianca, Charlotte vs. Ronda, Edge vs. AJ and Owens vs. Austin all feel like there is “history” to them, recent or not.

[XL]

Rumours of Omos vs. Lashes. Which would mean a) a face turn for Lashley and b) putting a recently injured guy in the ring with Omos

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dear <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWE</a> please don’t disappoint and give us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_ironsheik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@the_ironsheik</a> next weekend at WrestleMania 38 like Bobby The Brain Heenan predicted.<br><br>Thanks �� <a href="https://t.co/ar2zAZHbD1">pic.twitter.com/ar2zAZHbD1</a></p>&mdash; Richard Land (@maskedwrestlers) <a href="https://twitter.com/maskedwrestlers/status/1507422971111084033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Rumours of Omos vs. Lashes. Which would mean a) a face turn for Lashley and b) putting a recently injured guy in the ring with Omos

Can’t see it. I can see Omos vs. Azeez (as well as maybe Crews). It would preferably be in the context of a Battle Royal, but I think they see value in them having a singles match.

[slik]

Damn...Damian Priest went from the Bad Bunny match last year to not even the pre-show...I thought Balor vs Priest would make the main card


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">SMH <a href="https://t.co/xqMPGLaqVs">pic.twitter.com/xqMPGLaqVs</a></p>&mdash; Phil Lindsey ��♟ (@PhilDL616) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilDL616/status/1507538596080795653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Kind of funny that's the one match it would be logical to put Omos in and not a rumored Omos squashes Bobby Lashley bout

[Lock Jaw]

Damn...Damian Priest went from the Bad Bunny match last year to not even the pre-show...I thought Balor vs Priest would make the main card

Look, bro, they only have 2 days, not all the champions can make it onto the show

[ron the dial]

nah man listen it's on WRESTLEMANIA smackdown so he made it to the dance it's right there in the name everything is WRESTLEMAnia

WRRRRRRRRRRRRRESTLEMAAAAAAAAAANIA

[ron the dial]

R-A-S-S-L-I-N that's WRESTLEMANIA

[ron the dial]

the new WRESTLEMANIA order

[slik]

Ricochet and Balor both on SD next week, U.S./I.C. not WM worthy this year it seems

[Sepholio]

Veer not being in that battle royal is criminal.

[Evil Vito]

That’s because it is on SmackDown. He’s been waiting so long to come on Raw he needs to come there first before he can come elsewhere.

[Sting Fan]

So you have Finn and Riccochet as Mid card champs and got nothing for them… couldn’t even do a quick 15 min champion vs. champion on a 2 night show.

Wish I could remember who it was recently on here saying how well booked the WWE mid card titles were.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Just because they’re in the Battle Royal doesn’t mean they’re not going to be slotted into the main card somewhere. But if there isn’t time there isn’t time. What would you bump for them?

[Mr. Nerfect]

You can make the argument that the belts should be on more important guys, but that doesn’t really help the guys or the belts. You don’t want to start a trend where big names start winning the US Title a month prior to WrestleMania just so the belt makes the card. You’ve also then got to get the belt off the guy and onto someone in the mid-card.

[Fignuts]

So you have Finn and Riccochet as Mid card champs and got nothing for them… couldn’t even do a quick 15 min champion vs. champion on a 2 night show.

Wish I could remember who it was recently on here saying how well booked the WWE mid card titles were.

Three celebrity matches and no IC or US title match on the card.

This is the darkest timeline.

[XL]

Just because they’re in the Battle Royal doesn’t mean they’re not going to be slotted into the main card somewhere. But if there isn’t time there isn’t time. What would you bump for them?

I could see them doing something with Finn & Priest eliminating each other but continuing to go at it leading to a “blow off” on Saturday/Sunday.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I could see them doing something with Finn & Priest eliminating each other but continuing to go at it leading to a “blow off” on Saturday/Sunday.

That was my gut instinct.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I haven’t seen SmackDown, but with Big E’s injury, I think the easiest thing to do on that front is a Triple Threat between Ricochet, Sheamus and Kofi. But let’s not kid ourselves that either that or Balor/Priest is doing much beyond getting those acts on the card.

The “criminally underrated” Ricochet going over two guys that have beaten Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania is a cerebral little dig though, lol.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Night 1 currently has 5 matches confirmed. Night 2 has 6. I highly doubt there will be fewer than 7 matches each night. That’s at least 3 more matches.

* IC Title
* US Title
* Seth Rollins

At least. I’m thinking there might be some sort of surprise that we’re not privy to yet. Maybe that and something between Azeez and Omos.

Then you’ve also got Kickoff matches. Although they seem to be trialing not doing them.

[slik]

This is why WWE has a hard time building new talent

You put someone like Priest in a spot with Bad Bunny and then don't fit him on the main card the next year, there's no consistency to pushes. I'm expecting some of the announced matches (likely tag bouts) to get moved to the kick-off show. We know Omos vs Lashley and Seth vs Cody is still incoming for the card. And I'm sure something goofy with 24/7 eating time as well.

[XL]

I expect Kofi/Woods vs. Sheamid/Holland and/or Butch to be slipped on to one of the Kickoffs.

[XL]

Night 1 currently has 5 matches confirmed. Night 2 has 6. I highly doubt there will be fewer than 7 matches each night. That’s at least 3 more matches.

* IC Title
* US Title
* Seth Rollins

At least. I’m thinking there might be some sort of surprise that we’re not privy to yet. Maybe that and something between Azeez and Omos.

Then you’ve also got Kickoff matches. Although they seem to be trialing not doing them.

You think they’re building up Omos vs. Azeez by having Omos convincingly beat Azeez, and then Azeez and Apollo in a handicap match in back to back weeks? This is WWE I suppose…

[#1-norm-fan]

I just watched Omos vs Azeez. I didn’t hate it. But I’m a sucker for hoss battles.

[XL]

The only Main Roster females with nothing planned are Alexa Bliss (who was brought back a month ago), Xia Li (who seemed like she was planned for a decent push), Nikki ASH, Dana Brooke (probably some 24/7 nonsense) and Aliyah. Expect Raw/SmackDown returns for Bayley and/or Asuka, and a debut for Raquel Gonzalez on either show.

Nowhere near enough talent to do a battle royal without heavily supplementing with “legends” and NXT talent.

[slik]

I think Alexa will get released post WM

They don't seem to have any plans for her since her return

[XL]

That’s a big shout. I just don’t think they’ve factored her into Mania plans for whatever reason. I’m sure she’ll be factored in afterwards. They might as well reunite Bliss and Cross for one night and add them to the Womens Tag Match, or she’ll beat Dana for the 24/7 title in some spooky bollocks segment.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I take back EVERYTHING I ever said about loving &quot;moving graphics&quot;. <a href="https://t.co/MxlPyxaonA">pic.twitter.com/MxlPyxaonA</a></p>&mdash; Dick Van Klondike  (@DickVanKlondike) <a href="https://twitter.com/DickVanKlondike/status/1508126220461948930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

You think they’re building up Omos vs. Azeez by having Omos convincingly beat Azeez, and then Azeez and Apollo in a handicap match in back to back weeks? This is WWE I suppose…

Maybe not then. Unless they do one of those Nigerian Drum Fights or whatever. I dunno. I don’t really watch the week-to-week, but the match would make sense to me.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Azeez and Omos might make more sense for TV.

[screech]

Chris Rock versus Will Smith at WrestleMania Night 1 confirmed.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That’s the hottest program going now and they did it with a slap. Wrestling should be fucking embarrassed. WWE, AEW, all of it.

[XL]

Azeez and Omos might make more sense for TV.

Yeah it did 2 weeks ago, when they did it on TV. It’s Omos/Lashley for Mania.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah it did 2 weeks ago, when they did it on TV. It’s Omos/Lashley for Mania.

I can see them doing it more. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Africa, but people there go nuts for African-born guys reaching any kind of success. I can see WWE’s African deals being VERY important to them. Don’t think it’s a coincidence that they’ve got two big Nigerian dudes beating the shit out of each other doing giant YT numbers.

Don’t think Lashley is going to be at WrestleMania honestly. Even if he’s good to go, the last thing they’ll want is him hurting himself because he rushed back or whatever. And his natural program would be with Seth. Not that they always do what is natural, lol.

I can see Omos beating both Azeez and Crews in consecutive matches and going 3-0 at WrestleMania. It won’t be long enough to be a proper piss break in the actual stadium.

But I don’t know how WrestleMania is distributed in Nigeria or Africa at large. But last time I went over there Raw was on TV in pubs and night clubs.

[Evil Vito]

Chris Rock versus Will Smith at WrestleMania Night 1 confirmed.

Need them to point to the sign

https://content.invisioncic.com/r229509/monthly_2022_03/received_436454311586992.thumb.jpeg.76455fa7196212d9fed74603e4b44226.jpeg

[Mr. Nerfect]

If Will Smith and Chris Rock have a match, it will be for The Rock’s promotion.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Man, it’s so easy to get trapped in the bubble of shitty modern wrestling.

How has Ridge Holland vs. Kofi Kingston not been added to the WrestleMania card? How does Kofi not come out and cut a promo on Holland saying that son of a bitch broke my best friend and brother’s neck and now he will probably never wrestle again. The New Day is dead. Kofi Kingston is going to get Biblical justice at WrestleMania. A neck for a neck. You aren’t going to be getting the power of positivity Kofi at Mania. You’re not even going to be getting the man who won the WWE Title at Mania. You’re going to be getting one pissed off son of a bitch that wants you hurt, Holland.

How do you NOT do that? It’s just ridiculous.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I got bored and just fantasy booked the post-Mania SmackDown in my head if they booked it like you had a bunch of active fucking individuals having goals and going about actually achieving them. The only “rule” I broke was that I used two women from Raw, one of whom would be advertised as appearing. And I used Steve Austin. But the rest was just using the people on SmackDown who are already there.

This shit could so easily be good.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think Cody Rhodes is going to be the Seth opponent. I think he’ll confront Rollins on Raw and cut the promo of his life to set that up. I see them adding Cody vs. Seth, IC Triple Threat, US Title and probably something like Omos vs. Crews in a Nigerian Drum Fight or something, come to to think of it.

Other stuff will happen at the show. I’m thinking Jinder might win the Battle Royal on FOX and do a big celebration at WrestleMania that gets crashed by The Rock. I think Damian Priest gets himself disqualified after a short match with Balor and Gable Steveson gets involved there. There might be some 24/7 stuff. I can see Johnny Knoxville winning the belt on night two.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Another prediction: WWE will hastily put together a commercial spoofing Chris Rock and Will Smith for their WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles reveal.

[Mr. Nerfect]

John Cena won’t be at Mania, but will do a voiceover for one of the nights about what WrestleMania means so he can “contribute.”

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sami Zayn beats Knoxville in their actual match. It suits Knoxville to come in and get his ass kicked and take a big bump at the end.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Speaking of bumps, I think Vince takes one off the stage. I think he gets involved in Theory/McAfee and Theory accidentally bumps him off the stage or something.

[Mr. Nerfect]

RKBro retain the Tag Titles, I think. They’re too hot/interesting right now.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, how I think the Austin segment will go:

Everything is set up for a KO Show. But after Owens makes his entrance and there’s that pregnant pause before the Austin entrance, he starts throwing all the furniture out of the ring. The glass shatters and Austin comes out — boots and jeans, but shirtless with the vest. He starts whooping Kevin Owens all over the place and hitting him with all the furniture. Austin grabs the ring bell and rings it himself, or tells the timekeeper to anyway. The announcers will be like “Well, I guess it’s a match!” I’m thinking Owens might actually get color too, because the ring will be carpeted and they can remove it.

Austin gets to do his sitting on the ropes checking his watch spot as a referee runs down to make a count on Owens. That’s where he gets to kick out. Austin beats him up more, but Owens turns it around. He gets some shit in on Austin, but Steve makes his comeback, hits a Stunner and wins. Beer celebration, maybe another Stunner for Owens and maybe even one for the referee.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ricochet beats Sheamus and Kofi to retain the IC Title. There is a spot where Ricochet moonsaults into a Brogue Kick. I think Riddle did the same thing last year. Kofi will save Ricochet though. And provided he is not dead, Ricochet will somehow get involved after a sequence between Sheamus and Kofi and leave with the belt.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m thinking Nakamura & Boogs win the Tag Titles.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m thinking Drew might get to use Broken Dreams for his Mania entrance.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, they’ll need another announcer to do commentary after McAfee for the SmackDown side. Unless it is literally the second-to-last match and Michael Cole/Corey Graves call the main event. If they need that person, it will probably be JBL. But I’m thinking it might just actually be Michael Cole & Corey Graves calling the last bit of night two. The Women’s Tag Titles and the World Title can go on after it and will technically all be cross-brand matches. Maybe they can also have the Raw Tag Titles in there since they have been killing it lately. Hmm, maybe AJ & Edge too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Longest match will be Edge vs. AJ. I think they’ll get 30 minutes. I predicted that Balor/Priest will be short (like I’m thinking the actual match part of it will go be <5 minutes). I’m fucking hoping the Raw Tag Titles get 15 or however much they want.

I think Seth beats Cody with the Pedigree. In that match you’ll get all the Kliq’s finishers coming out. If Lashley is Mania ready, Seth looks like he wants to give Cody respect after the match, but low blows him and goes to beat him down more and Lashley’s music hits. Lashley kills everybody and leaves.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Some costume predictions:

* Becky Lynch comes out dressed vaguely like Brutus Beefcake. Maybe even with a pair of the trimmers to act as if she’s coming for Bianca’s hair.

* Alpha Academy go full Steiners with their gear. Street Profits are Hart Foundation.

* Ronda Rousey looks more like Ronda Rousey and they maybe try to go for the pop of her coming out in the skimpier gear with the mean face.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Gable Steveson does the “guy is actually in his wrestling gear” thing when he helps Balor (and maybe Bad Bunny) against Priest. He’ll be chilling in his tracksuit down the front and will then enter, reveal he’s got a singlet in and Priest will bail instead of wrestling Gable. The US Gold Medalist then raises the arm of the US Champ.

[Mr. Nerfect]

How I think the Rock/Jinder segment will go:

Jinder gets a massive entrance with dancers, etc. The Andre trophy is in the ring. There may be a giant cake and a food spread or something. But WrestleMania big. Jinder will cut a relatively short promo about being the greatest or whatever and will then hit some music and tell Shanky to dance. They’ll all be dancing like jackasses in the ring when The Rock’s theme hits. He does his shtick and pretends to be impressed with Jinder (“You’re jacked, bro!”). He will talk about being friends with The Great Khali and that Khali was even in one of his movies (“Have you seen it?” “Yes-“ “It doesn’t matter…”) The Rock will then remind Jinder he’s at WrestleMania. He will then challenge Mahal to fight him, Mahal will tell Shanky to do it and then Shanky will figuratively tag himself out and leave Mahal to get his ass kicked by The Rock. Then The Rock leaves and gets to interact with all the dancers and such as Mahal sells what just hit him.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was just thinking about what nights the unconfirmed stuff will be on, and the more I think about it, the more I think Cody vs. Seth might open night one. There isn’t really a “story” for the match, in terms of things they’re going to show Cody and Seth doing recently for a package. And even though it’s a big spot (well, Vince sees it that way), it would make sense for Seth to be in the opener given he’s been struggling to find a place on the card. And if Lashley returns, beating up the guys who are in the slot he was in last year makes thematic sense.

Plus, if Lashley is there, I can see him and MVP in a sky box for the main event on night two. It makes sense to open WrestleMania with Lashley killing guys and then the main event. It’s a nice little bookend.

Night two opener I’ve got down as either my IC Triple Threat or the Women’s Tag Team Titles since the women haven’t opened a Mania yet, to my knowledge. Something about Zayn and Knoxville feels like it would fit as an opener too, but I just can’t see them putting Knoxville in that spot.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Edge/AJ seems likely to follow McAfee/Theory, in my opinion. After Vince’s spot he will likely be checked out or whatever and need to get himself back into position, so he’ll want stuff that he feels he doesn’t need to micromanage. I think he’d trust AJ and Edge to go out there and wrestle without much of a hiccup for 30 minutes.

Something like my Rock segment could probably follow that, since Rock probably has his own people and it’ll be down like clockwork anyway, so Vince has got even more time to get himself where he needs to be and whatever.

It’ll probably be hard to top Rock’s pop, but I think next they’ll put whichever tag they haven’t done and then the main event. The other tag probably goes on before Theory/Vince. Before that you’ll probably do your Gable Steveson spot and Knoxville which will need to be micromanaged. So night two runs like this in my head:

* IC Triple Threat. Not a long match. Fast, action-packed. Ricochet wins, look at the pretty flying, remember The New Day kids?, Sheamus gets a spot.

* Sami Zayn and Knoxville beating the shit out of each other with kendo sticks and trash can lids as Vince probably laughs like a school child in the back.

* US Title. Very short. Mainly about Steveson appearing.

* Women’s Tag Titles. Crowd will be polite, but it’ll feel jammed in. Will feel like it goes for too long.

* McAfee/Theory. Will probably surprise a lot of people with how good it is. Vince spot will be crazy. Will be the first thing of the night that really “feels like Mania” to a lot of people.

* Edge/AJ.

* Jinder Mahal’s Punjabi Party.

* The Hall of Famers appear.

* Maybe this is where they stick my Omos/Crews thing? I think it would get over better earlier, but I can see them doing it here to give it distance from Zayn & Knoxville. But it would be weirdly similar to Jinder’s segment too. I dunno. Maybe it’s just a match or something?

* Johnny Knoxville wins the 24/7 Title.

* Raw Tag Team Titles. Will be awesome, but the crowd will be ready for WrestleMania to be over.

* Brock/Roman.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Another gear prediction: Cody Rhodes will be wearing a scheme that is reminiscent of the classic WWF logo to subliminally send the message that he’s Mr. WWE. Like when he wore the Jaguars gear in that last New Japan match.

Omos will have new gear that makes him look like someone. His current look is so bland. I don’t know what it will be, but WrestleMania seems like a good place to debut it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’ve got a weird feeling that Shayna & Nattie are going to win the women’s tag belts.

[XL]

They’ve had the least build. So, yeah, probably.

I’m hoping it goes to Ripley & Morgan as they actually look good together/like a team.

[XL]

This is like the segment where Vince needs the “Old Stone Cold” to come back and help against The Alliance and Austin comes out and smashes everyone. Just brilliant.

Though weren’t you adamant that Cody wouldn’t be at Mania?

[Mr. Nerfect]

This is like the segment where Vince needs the “Old Stone Cold” to come back and help against The Alliance and Austin comes out and smashes everyone. Just brilliant.

Though weren’t you adamant that Cody wouldn’t be at Mania?

I was. The way Seth addressed the chants on the clip I saw from Raw made me think that the plan is for Cody to be the guy.

[xrodmuc316]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">During his meeting with <a href="https://twitter.com/VinceMcMahon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VinceMcMahon</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/WWERollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWERollins</a> learns that he's going to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WrestleMania?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WrestleMania</a> 38!!! <a href="https://t.co/B4IiopCGmM">pic.twitter.com/B4IiopCGmM</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1508554536402755590?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Omos vs Lashley official for WM

[DAMN iNATOR]

After what just happened, the RAW Women's Championship match needs to be ✂Hair vs. Hair ✂.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">During his meeting with <a href="https://twitter.com/VinceMcMahon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VinceMcMahon</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/WWERollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWERollins</a> learns that he's going to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WrestleMania?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WrestleMania</a> 38!!! <a href="https://t.co/B4IiopCGmM">pic.twitter.com/B4IiopCGmM</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1508554536402755590?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This is so so bad. Not sure I’ve seen many worse acting performances in a wrestling clip before.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Seth Rollins is fucking atrocious.

[Corporate CockSnogger]

I remember posting when The Shield started that Seth Rollins was terrible. Really awful mic skills. I’ve seen very little of him since then but judging by that video he’s gotten worse if anything.

[Mr. Nerfect]

His hand movements are terrible. When he’s cutting a promo in the ring he’ll twirl his hand and do this weird voice. It’s like he’s trying to be The Joker? But he’s not even good enough that you can properly recognize it.