Can They Be Champ? 03.09.08: Which Way to WrestleMania?

TNA’s Destination X PPV is today. Admittedly, I’m not buying this one. I’m not a fan of PPVs that don’t have a world title defense as the main event. Especially when the substitute is some lame tag team match. While some of the other matches look interesting, they don’t feel like anything I want to shell money towards. Besides, I’ll probably be too busy playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl today.

Hey, did you guys know that WrestleMania is three weeks away? I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, considering the somewhat lackluster build we’ve been getting towards the show this year. I think it’s a bit sad that Big Show vs. Mayweather is the most hyped match for the show, and probably gets the most screen time on any WWE programming. Meanwhile, the triple threat WWE title match has no story behind other than everyone wants to win, and the Edge/Taker match is only being built with little intrigue. Why can’t we have Taker do something cool like crucify Vikki Guerrero or something? I want to see him try to scare Edge, and I want Edge to look like more of a threat going into this match. I mean, remember how awesome the Cena/HBK feud was? They were tag team champions, and they kept teasing that Shawn would take a cheap shot at Cena, and just when it seemed like it never would, BAM, kick right to the face. Awesome stuff.

I think the fact that a lot of the build towards WrestleMania didn’t start until after No Way Out is hurting things a bit this year. Last year we had most of the matches in place well before that PPV.

Anyways, after the break, I’m going to talk a bit more about my frustrations with the lack of build, specifically in regards to the MitB match.

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Last week, I tried to predict who the final four Money in the Bank participants would be. For those who missed it, I guessed MVP, John Morrison, the Miz, and Kane. Well, almost immediately after I submitted the column, we got news that Matt Hardy had come back and was working house shows again. This led many to believe that MVP and Matt Hardy would have a match for the US belt at WM24. Well, it’s been another week, we’re had another Smackdown, and still no Matt Hardy. Instead, we have this strange feud between MVP and Batista for the US belt. Why aren’t they feeding Batista some guys to destroy to build up to his match against Umaga? And if MVP is really going to wrestle Matt Hardy, then when the heck are they going to start building up to that match? Are they even going to have enough time to build it up properly? I’m beginning to doubt it.

Batista has a rematch against MVP for the US championship next Smackdown. This is stupid for a couple of reasons. First off, this means that MVP and Batista will both be involved in a match that will have nothing to do with WrestleMania, again. Secondly, why does Batista get a rematch? He lost his last match because he was stupid enough to get himself counted out. It seems like a pretty clean win on MVP’s part to me.

The only new entrant added to the MitB match was Carlito. God. Did I miss something? Because last time I check, Carlito hasn’t even been a mid-carder for about six months. Now you’re suddenly putting him in one of WrestleMania’s most important matches? Also, this is the 4th Raw guy to be added to the match. Meanwhile, ECW only has one guy in the match, and Smackdown doesn’t have a single representative. What the hell?

And why do we only have five people confirmed for this match so far? What are they waiting for? WrestleMania is three weeks away. I mean, we know that this match has little other purpose than to lead to a Jeff Hardy title win, but we can at least pretend that the other participants matter.

Oh, what are CM Punk and Chavo going to do at WrestleMania? The just had a title match on ECW last week, which Chavo won cleanly. Are they really going to do Punk vs. Chavo again at WrestleMania. This will be like, what, the eighth time?

Kane beat Palambo on Smackdown, so I hope he’s being built for something, and I can’t think what else it could be besides the MitB match. Maybe him and Chuck will have a rematch next week, but this time it will be a MitB qualifying match. Is that asking too much?

Miz and Morrison are either going to be in MitB or they’ll miss out on WM, which I think is a shame. We don’t have time for two rising stars that have been saddled with a miserable tag title reign, but let’s give Carlito another shot. God. Please, please at least put Morrison in this match. They gave him a chance to shine at the Royal Rumble, and he did well. Take it to the next step.

You know what else makes me mad? What’s with this four week “Best Diva on Smackdown” competition? Why are they deliberately running an extended angle that has nothing to do with WrestleMania during the entire build towards WreslteMania? Am the only one who thinks this is retarded? Also, the winner gets a motorcycle. That’s just confusing. I mean, it’s hardly fair, when this who thing is obviously being done for Michelle McCool’s benefit. What is she going to do with a motorcycle? I think a better prize would be a sandwich. Trust me, she needs it a lot more.

I got a good letter from Dan this week, who didn’t completely agree with my ideas for MitB last week.

Hey man,
I disagree with your list for a few reasons. Number 1, while I agree with you that guys like Kennedy and MVP need to be rebuilt, I feel that at Wrestlemania, titles need to be fought over. Larry Czonka makes the argument all the times in his columns about the “Showcase” of the Immortals being a showcase of the titles. With Jeff Hardy already in MITB that means the IC Title will not be defended again, the once proud stepping stone to the World Title has not been defended since 2002 when Regal lost to RVD. That being said, MVP should definitely defend the US Title against Matt to give the title back some juice and re-ignite their awesome 2007 feud. Also, I loved the idea of John Morrison and Miz, but again its the same issue. They have been very nicely building the Morrison/Miz vs. Dreamer/Delaney feud. Why not push this till Wrestlemania and add a title match and more importantly, give ECW a second match. So then, who is in MITB?
We have Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho, Mr. Kennedy, and Shelton Benjamin…
– On Raw, Vince comes out with JBL and thanks him for helping him with the Finlay/Hornswoggle problem. He will grant him a shot to get back on top and Vince announces JBL as an entrant in MITB. This allows for a continuation of his feud with Jericho, leading to a blowoff match (bullrope) at Backlash.
– On Smackdown in a MITB qualifier, Kane defeats the Great Khali, Big Daddy V and Mark Henry in a Fatal 4-way. Kane always carries some main event credibility so he gets a birth.
– On Raw, Paul Burchill talks to Regal about why Umaga got a chance to represent Raw in the Raw/SD challenge. Regal says if he wants to prove himself he can win a spot in MITB by defeating Hardcore Holly. Burchill wins after interference by Santino/Carlito leading to a Tag Title match at WM. Burchill is Vince’s pet project, a decent wrestler and gain some serious momentum by being in this big match.
– The final entrant would be a special Wrestlemania Surprise…ROB VAN DAM!!! – You saw the pop at the Raw special and Vince can definitely make him an offer either for one night or a new contract.
The card of Wrestlemania XXIV would shape up as follows:
– WWE Title – (C) Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena
– World Heavyweight Title – (C) Edge vs. Undertaker
– MITB IV – J. Hardy vs. Jericho vs. Shelton vs. Kennedy vs. Kane vs. JBL vs. Burchill vs. RVD
– RAW vs. SD – Umaga vs. Batista
– Career Threatening Match – Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair
– Vince McMahon vs. Finlay
– Bunnymania – Candace & Maria vs. Beth & Melina
– US Title – (C) MVP vs. Matt Hardy
– WWE Tag Titles – (C) Miz and John Morrison vs. Tommy Dreamer & Colin Delaney
– World Tag Titles – (C) Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes vs. Carlito & Santino Marella
The 10 match card fits nicely into 4 hours, and the 3 matches added are all title matches.

Dan from Brooklyn

I’d love to see more titles defended at WrestleMania. I think it’s a shame that it looks like the WWE and World Heavyweight titles may be the only two defended this year (unless we really do get that MVP/Matt match). I just don’t think the WWE is all that interested in the tag team division these days, and they don’t seem to value the IC and US titles as the developmental tools they once were. It’s a shame, and I honestly don’t know what it’s going to take to bring around another renaissance in tag team wrestling to the WWE. My guess is that we may not see it happen in my life time.

As for your MitB predictions, the JBL/Finlay matches was announced after you sent this to me, so that’s out. I think it’s a little too early to put Burchill in a high profile match like this, but if Carlito gets in, than I wouldn’t have any large objections to the notion. RVD would be an awesome surprise addition, but I’m not going to give my hopes up.

That’s it for this week. Thanks for all the comments you guys send my way. Be sure to keep them coming. Have a good week, everyone.