Has WWE totally screwed the World Title match for WM XXI? *NYR spoilers*

[Fox]

Freshness is key to success in the WWE (HBK/HHH was fresh, DX was fresh, Austin was fresh, Rock was fresh, Angle was fresh). However, last night at New Year's Revolution, the horribly unfresh Triple H regained the World Heavyweight Title. The last 10 minutes of the match were a battle of the Evolution members, HHH vs. Batista vs. Orton in the most boring 10 minutes of what was an exciting and fast-paced Elimination Chamber match.

HHH vs. Jericho ain't happening. HHH vs. Benoit ain't happening. HHH vs. Edge ain't happening. Because Triple H has the title (and will probably hold onto it until Mania), there is no chance of Benoit, Jericho, or Edge headlining WrestleMania for the World Title.

We're going to see one of the following matches in the main event of Mania:

Triple H vs. Batista

Triple H vs. Randy Orton

Triple H vs. Randy Orton vs. Batista

However, there are flaws in every one of these match ups. The triple threat thing was done last year, and I sincerely doubt that Vince will want to run yet another Triple Threat as the main event of the biggest show of the year, not to mention the fact that it's hard to establish two #1 contenders without adding confusion or illogical occurences to the storyline.

HHH/Orton has been done twice (three times if you count the end of the Survivor Series match), and it simply is not WrestleMania main event caliber. Not only that, but Randy Orton's face turn is beginning to fail, and the fans are getting sick of seeing him crammed down our throats as the pretty boy good guy every week. The match wouldn't draw a dime.

Batista/HHH is definitely fresh and has not been done before, but there are a few problems with the idea of the match. First of all, Batista has been built up as a monster tweener in the last month, crushing everything in his sight, so the match would be mostly one-sided. Given that, if Batista won a match that he had been dominating the whole time (with his HUGE 3 move arsenal), the match would end up being horrendously boring.

If the match featured Batista dominating only to lose to the champion, the fans would go home very unhappy, watching the man who's dominated the World Title scene all year walk out of the biggest show of them all with the belt still strapped around his waist. It wouldn't go over.

Second, even if they did come up with a way to book the match in an interesting fashion (i.e. Batista gets a leg injury a few weeks before Mania, allowing HHH to work the leg the whole match and apply the Indian Deathlock for dramatics), Batista isn't READY for a WrestleMania main event. He's definitely gotten better in the past year, but he's still unexperienced and has a very limited move set. This does not make for a good main event match.

So, where does the WWE go from here? Obviously they're going to play out of one these options. Which one do you think would be the best idea?



Personally, I would go an entirely different route. Job the title to Jericho, Benoit or Edge at the Royal Rumble, then have the Evolution feud continue until Mania and finish off the angle WITHOUT the World Title being involved. This would make everyone happy, as some of the more deserving guys would get to wrestle for the World Title at Mania, and Triple H would still get his high profile match, which could even be higher up the card than the World Title match, if he so desires. Then, the WWE Championship match could headline the card and everything would be proper.

What do you think?

[Heyman]

Batista/HHH is definitely fresh and has not been done before, but there are a few problems with the idea of the match. First of all, Batista has been built up as a monster tweener in the last month, crushing everything in his sight, so the match would be mostly one-sided. Given that, if Batista won a match that he had been dominating the whole time (with his HUGE 3 move arsenal), the match would end up being horrendously boring.



First off, good post. :y: Just one comment.

While I agree that the Batista/HHH match wouldn't exactly be Steamboat/Savage, I think the potential storyline/hype leading up to this match will be MORE than enough to compensate for the lack of overall quality within the match.

The inevitable Batista/HHH feud is the best thing going for the WWE right now IMO. If played off right, the drama leading into this sort of match could be tremendous.

Batista will most likely win the Royal Rumble.

[James Steele]

Well, I think SmackDown! will have the true main event spot (unless JBL still has the title).

You are forgetting that there is the Royal Rumble which I think will be Orton v. HHH.

I don't want Batista to explode until around SummerSlam (a sure fire markout if they wait for it long enough. We all know it is coming, but if they milk it for what its worth... it will be worth it.)

I have a feeling Cena or Booker T. or even Eddie winning the Royal Rumble.

Anyway, I think that Batista isn't ready yet and that he can't be World Champion yet. Randy was way too early, but Batista at WrestleMania (even being in the main event of WM) is WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY too damn early for him. The guy has never held a singles title. I seriously think they are trying to make Batista into the new Brock Lesnar, only better written and no NFL aspirations.

I really don't know who, but Batista will not be in the World Title Match. Orton most likely will *shoots head* but their is a shot that they do something *pisses pants* unexpected! Orton is annoying and Batista just isn't ready. I hope and pray that Benoit or Jericho get it, but that is not the most logical choice ever. Triple H will pull a WrestleMania XIX in the Staples Center, but I pray to god that it isn't against somebody talented enough and over enough *COUGH*jericho*COUGH* that it ruins their main event potential (unless they go to SmackDown!) like it did to Booker T.

The road to WrestleMania will be an interesting one, but not because of storylines, but because just who will be sent to the lion's den to have their souls and bodies feasted upon by the great golden beast with fire breath and flared nostrils 8 miles in the air and water drizzling out of his mouth as he swallows the soul of his opponents.

Triple H v. The Condemned For The World Heavyweight Championship At WrestleMania 21!

[Nervous Ferret]

Why not have Batista not turn until WM21?

Orton could win the Rumble. Orton/HHH at Mania. HHH hits the pedigree goes for the pin, but Batista breaks it up and hits a Batista bomb. Orton champ. Great HHH/Batista program to start off the new wrestiling calendar year. :?:

[Pegasus Crawford]

However, there are flaws in every one of these match ups. The triple threat thing was done last year, and I sincerely doubt that Vince will want to run yet another Triple Threat as the main event of the biggest show of the year, not to mention the fact that it's hard to establish two #1 contenders without adding confusion or illogical occurences to the storyline.

Adding illogical consistencies to storylines? The WWE is great at that!

[Fox]

Why not have Batista not turn until WM21?

Orton could win the Rumble. Orton/HHH at Mania. HHH hits the pedigree goes for the pin, but Batista breaks it up and hits a Batista bomb. Orton champ. Great HHH/Batista program to start off the new wrestiling calendar year. :?:

Although it's not a bad idea, a Batista turn during the main event of WrestleMania doesn't seem to fit. There would be little to no shock value (because of his tweener role), it would hurt Orton's credibility (the little that he has) as World Champion, and it wouldn't do anything for Batista's character.

It worked with Tyson at WM XIV, but I don't think it would have quite the same impact with Batista. And besides, we'd STILL be saddled with the bland main event of HHH/Orton.

[Corkscrewed]

It'll be Triple H vs. Randy Orton vs. Batista.

But the way I book it is to have HHH as the full fledged heel, Orton as the face, and Batista as the heel who we all know is going to turn. So basically tweener. I think it's good that Batista's turn drag, so that we really dig into it. I think they can realistically keep a full fledged turn until Wrestlemania, tantalizing the viewers with it. Ideally, the finish of the Mania match would have Batista powerbombing Orton after HHH pedigreed him. The two celebrate, then as HHH goes for the pin, Batista breaks it up, then powerbombs HHH and pins him. Or something to that effect. And of course ,the buildup would more than explain the reason.

But that's probably what they'll do. Though predictable, it'd be a smart move IMO.

[Heyman]

I wonder if there's a chance of Orton winning the Rumble and jumping to Smackdown (to face JBL).


-Orton has already had his one on one with Triple H.

-Orton has already faced Batista

-With Orton gone from RAW, it sets the stage for Batista/HHH.

-BOTH Orton and Batista can win their respective World titles

-Orton going to Smackdown sets up a future Orton/Cena feud (potentially).

[Fox]

Although Orton vs. JBL is interesting (sorta...), it wouldn't make any sense storyline wise. Why would Randy Orton, a man who was stabbed in the back by HHH, has been chasing HHH to regain the World Title for 5 months, and is desperate for vengeance, move to the other brand AFTER he's finally earned a shot at the belt?

Wishful thinking, but it ain't gonna happen.

[Innovator]

Honestly this is just a throw away Wrestlemania considering nothing that the WWE will offer us can excite us or deliver on the hype they will put out.

They might as well go with Batista vs. HHH for the title, thats at least what the fans want...WWE remembers the fans right?

Im gonna look forward to the Edge/HBK encounter, hopefully this will make Edge

[Corkscrewed]

Although Orton vs. JBL is interesting (sorta...), it wouldn't make any sense storyline wise. Why would Randy Orton, a man who was stabbed in the back by HHH, has been chasing HHH to regain the World Title for 5 months, and is desperate for vengeance, move to the other brand AFTER he's finally earned a shot at the belt?

Wishful thinking, but it ain't gonna happen.

See Benoit in early 2004 after chase angle with Brock Lesnar that lasted through the latter half of 2003.

[Afterlife]

It sounds to me like everybody's pretty much said the same thing about ten different ways here: No matter what, we're not gonna care. Batista's a good personality, the fans want the turn, but the simple fact is, in the ring, he's more about yelling "Yeah!" after a shoulder block and flexing his muscles than he is about actually performing. Orton sucks. THere is no denying it. He's generic on the mic, and he's not once done anything that anyone will remember a year after he's gone. His title rain was about as impactful as Kane killing his girlfriend, and he's basically on everyone's nerves right now. And HHH...well, it's HHH.

What it all boils down to, is no matter what it is, it's basically going to bore the crap out of everyone. There is a very frustrating point of genius here, tho, on the part of WWE: The match nobody cares about will be a huge draw, and it's souly because everyone will want to be able to complain. The fans will watch knowing full well they'll hate it, getting angrier and feeling more ripped off thruout the event, simply to get the self gratification that they were right in knowing the outcome -- if not the general performance itself -- was destined to thoroughly piss them off. So, instead of griping and cursing the WWE, I offer them a sarcastic salute; kudos, WWE, on getting the Fans' attention -- and money -- by putting forth the worst material and the least amount of effort.

[Savio]

Ortons plan is to go to smack down to F up the title even more.

[Fox]

There is a very frustrating point of genius here, tho, on the part of WWE: The match nobody cares about will be a huge draw, and it's souly because everyone will want to be able to complain. The fans will watch knowing full well they'll hate it, getting angrier and feeling more ripped off thruout the event, simply to get the self gratification that they were right in knowing the outcome -- if not the general performance itself -- was destined to thoroughly piss them off. So, instead of griping and cursing the WWE, I offer them a sarcastic salute; kudos, WWE, on getting the Fans' attention -- and money -- by putting forth the worst material and the least amount of effort.

If putting forth a terrible effort for a profit is a symptom of being a fucking genius, then why the fuck isn't WCW still around?

WWE is making a HUGE mistake with this main event. Orton is bland, Batista isn't ready, and the only reason anyone would want to see Triple H in the main event World Title match is so that he can LOSE the title to someone the fans care about (Jericho, Benoit, even Shawn-fucking-Michaels!).

God I hate the WWE right now. These next three months are going to drag worse than the casket at Anna Nicole's funeral.

[Marc the Smark]

And it's a rotten shame. McMahon knows what we want, and what we don't want, and he's doing just the opposite! :mad:

The thing is, McMahon doesn't care about us internet fans, and I think that's fairly obvious. I think the majority of the fans will want Orton/Triple H, or Triple H/Batista, and the rest of us don't count. It sucks, but I think it's true.

[GODSON]

And it's a rotten shame. McMahon knows what we want, and what we don't want, and he's doing just the opposite! :mad:

The thing is, McMahon doesn't care about us internet fans, and I think that's fairly obvious. I think the majority of the fans will want Orton/Triple H, or Triple H/Batista, and the rest of us don't count. It sucks, but I think it's true.

Very true and I've been saying that for years.

I think we should see an all Evolution main event, Orton vs.HHH vs.Batista vs.Flair. I would even put the belt on Flair, that would shock the F out of people.

Most people want too see Flair vs.Foley but those two don't want agree to it. Foley vs.HHH for the World title would be great.

[Afterlife]

I can't say much for WCW. I never watched it, and I've only been really watching WWE for about four or five years now. I have, tho, heard some less than great remarks about the way WCW was handled. But you've got to admit, if they do actually continue with this set up, and it is Batista or Orton again HHH, you're going to watch it and you'll be pissed about it either way. To be clear, I was stretching it a tad when I called them genius. And like I said, my applause on their apparent thinking was entirely sarcastic. But I tell you what; after Batista jobbed to that horrbly executed RKO (a move, I might add, that I'm beginning to dispise), I was actually rooting for HHH to beat that little hack they want us to love. I felt dirty afterwards, when I realised I was pulling for the biggest belt hog of all time, but dammit, it's better than trying to pass Orton off as champ-grade material. Like I said: It's gonna be crap unless they make good at the Rumble. Shock us--hell, have Christian win the Rumble. Treat the 30-man anything-can-happen match like it really IS anything-can-happen. But then, I"m reminded of a quote from a fairly intelligent individual:

Wishful thinking, but it ain't gonna happen.

[Fox]

Oh shit, what I wouldn't give to see a surprise victory in the Royal Rumble. To see someone like Rob Van Dam, or Rhyno, or even Shelton Benjamin win the rumble by upset would seriously blow me away. Not only would it make for a great Live match, but it would create a whole lot if interest in RAW or Smackdown for the next two months.

If Shelton Benjamin won the Royal Rumble next month, everything would change. Fans would have no idea what to expect. We'd been watching the HHH/Orton/Batista saga for the past 4 months, and now Shelton Benjamin is the #1 contender at WrestleMania. It would be interesting and it would be new.

Now that I think about it, if there was one man I could pick to win an upset in the Royal Rumble, it would definitely be Rey Mysterio. I can imagine Rey vs. Guerrero for the WWE Title at WrestleMania XXI in the main event. Holy fucking shit.

[GODSON]

Now that I think about it, if there was one man I could pick to win an upset in the Royal Rumble, it would definitely be Rey Mysterio. I can imagine Rey vs. Guerrero for the WWE Title at WrestleMania XXI in the main event. Holy fucking shit.

Too bad we just saw that match on Smackdown. Angle vs.Eddie vs.Rey is more like it.

It's seems like they building towards a triple threat match. They already testing the match out at house shows. It would be huge if they make it a fatal fourway and add Flair.

My XXI card from WWE creative team world

World title:HHH vs.Batista vs.Flair vs.Orton
WWE title vs.US title:JBL vs.Cena
IC title:Benoit vs.Shelton
Angle vs.Jericho,Raw vs.SD
HBK vs.Edge
Taker vs.Gene Raw vs.SD
Eddie vs.CCC
Cruiserweight Gauntlet for the title
Heindereich vs.Kane, Raw vs.SD
WWE tag titles:Bashams vs.Dudleyz
World tag titles:Battle Royal

[Afterlife]

You're gonna have to explain your R vs. S choices, dude. B/c, otherwise...what the hell?

[Dorkchop]

I'm sure Randy Orton will win the Rumble. or someone else from raw will win the Rumble and jmp to SMackdown. Batista has a good chance too.

It would be aweosme to see a surprize winner like Christian, Rhyno, or someone like that win. But that'll never happen.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't think we'll see a roster jump this year. The whole point of Benoti doin git was to expose a loophole. I'm sure that loophole has been editted, so now the winner will only get their brands title at Mania. It can go either way for me, simply because RAW's had one main event (Triple Threat last year) and SD!'s had one (Lesnar vs. Angle two years ago).

Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio would be a hot match in Los Angeles, that's for sure, but if I had a choice for an unexpected winner, it would be Kane.

Anyway, I wonder how an Eddie Guerrero vs. The Rock match would do? I can't image it, but I can at the same time. Triple H vs. Shelton Benjamin would be much better than what people think. Benjamin can go in with the IC Title, have to defend it in a Ladder Match, then he goes on to beat Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. I don't know whether or not Shelton should lose the IC Title, though. He could, then Maven has a credible shot at the main event (despite being beaten by SB so much recently), but if you don't, then you can have Shelton as the new undefeatable superstar on RAW.

[the_rock's_#1_fan]

There won't be a roster jump, I think they just had King & J.R. bring it up to try to pique more interest in people wanting to see the actual 30-man over the top battle royal. As for HHH vs. Batista it would beat the hell out of UT vs. BS from SD!'s side of the main event belt matches at Mania 21, especially if Batista walks out with the belt...then they could do an angle where for a short time HHH regains and retains the belt (1 month-1½ months tops), and then drops it to Flair, and finally we see the complete demolishment of Evolution once and for all, say around SS '05 in August.

[Innovator]

I don't think we'll see a roster jump this year. The whole point of Benoti doin git was to expose a loophole. I'm sure that loophole has been editted, so now the winner will only get their brands title at Mania. It can go either way for me, simply because RAW's had one main event (Triple Threat last year) and SD!'s had one (Lesnar vs. Angle two years ago).

Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio would be a hot match in Los Angeles, that's for sure, but if I had a choice for an unexpected winner, it would be Kane.

Anyway, I wonder how an Eddie Guerrero vs. The Rock match would do? I can't image it, but I can at the same time. Triple H vs. Shelton Benjamin would be much better than what people think. Benjamin can go in with the IC Title, have to defend it in a Ladder Match, then he goes on to beat Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. I don't know whether or not Shelton should lose the IC Title, though. He could, then Maven has a credible shot at the main event (despite being beaten by SB so much recently), but if you don't, then you can have Shelton as the new undefeatable superstar on RAW.
Rock and Eddie wrestled on RAW in the summer of 02. I can see them working well together, and Eddie hiding any rust the Rock would have

Benjamin will be there soon enough

[Afterlife]

We don't need to feed the audience any bullshit like Flair winning a title just to get the idea across of Evolutions total demise. All you have to do is have Flair hit HHH in the stomach with a sledge hammer for an illogical reason. Just ask RVD.