ExtremeGamer's Blog
Last night was WrestleMania 29, but if you didn't know that and just watched the event, would you have actually realized it was WrestleMania? WrestleMania is the Super Bowl of the WWE, their big, yearly event that showcases the top stars in the industry. It's filled with celebs, glamour, and over the top moments that are remembered for a lifetime, but somewhere along the way to this WrestleMania, that was forgotten.
While not a terrible show, it just didn't feel "big" in nature. No America the Beautiful or National Anthem like in year's past. No opening fireworks/pyro (rain had something to do with that I'm sure), no big memorable entrances, no celebrity involvement, no backstage comedy skits, nothing that makes WrestleMania feel like WrestleMania. This felt like any monthly Pay-Per-View when it was all said and done. I can admit that's a hypocritcal comment coming from me, as I hate the celeb stuff and the fluff most of the time, including WrestleMania, but it still needs it if that makes sense. P.Diddy doing a quick concert doesn't push it into that barrier of a big, grander feel.
The best match of the night was easily CM Punk vs. The Undertaker. Even though most people figured 'Taker was going to win, it still had a great, big match feel to it. Something that seems like a reoccurring theme with WrestleMania and the Undertaker, his matches are special. He's one guy who knows how to bring it to the big stage year in and out. Brock Lesnar and Triple H had a great final 2/3 of a match and Team Hell No vs. Dolph Ziggler/Big E Langston was another excellent match on the card. Besides the last 5 minutes or so of the Rock/Cena match, the rest of the card was met with disappointment. And WWE, where is my Brodus Clay/Tensai/Funkadactyls vs. Rhodes Scholars/Bella Twins match?
Speaking of Rock/Cena, this opened up what I have questioned before but became very obvious last night, the main event finisher issue. Between the 3 main events (HHH/Lesnar, Taker/Punk), did you count how many finishers were kicked out of? It was especially bad for Rock/Cena, the ending was a reversal fest. Played out okay for a bit, then just got annoying into a poorly drawn up ending. I'm actually fine with Cena winning, as I'd rather my WWE Champion be on the show every week, but that ending was just bad. After all those feign finishers, for Cena to just do his finisher and win, just made no sense. And the after match stuff? Ugh. A friend on Twitter gave the best idea for the ending, have Rock/Cena go in for the handshake, Cena drops Rock and does the You Can't See Me thing, then walks off, show ends. I would have marked out like a 5 year old had that happened. Alas, it didn't and we had a hug-a-thon for the last 5 minutes.
I would say the worst thing about last night's event is that the dirt sheets called the matches and winners back in December. That shouldn't be possible. It makes for a very predictable event, and for WrestleMania, it should be anything but predictable, but sadly, this one was very easy to call.
I would say the worst thing about last night's event is that the dirt sheets called the matches and winners back in December. That shouldn't be possible. It makes for a very predictable event, and for WrestleMania, it should be anything but predictable, but sadly, this one was very easy to call.
This begs the question, are you ready for the rubber match at WrestleMania 30? John Cena vs. The Rock 3, or Thrice in a Lifetime?
# 2
ExtremeGamer @ Apr 8
I wouldn't call it one of the worst, it's still can't miss TV for me, I'm just a diehard fan though. I complain about the product, because I want it to be better, like you said, I feel it can be better. Here's to hoping that Rocky and Brocky are both out of the picture for awhile, and we can get back to full time wrestlers doing what full time guys do...wrestle every week.
# 3
stlstudios189 @ Apr 8
it was not big in any way last night still had a good time watching it but there was no shock factor at all
# 4
stlstudios189 @ Apr 8
they dont need to shock just to shock us but put something totally unexpected that will build something long term. have orton rko samartino or have the sheild get in the undertaker match have kane and bryan lose the belt have ziggler cash in do something
# 5
ExtremeGamer @ Apr 8
I agree, I don't need a shock for the sake of trying to create something, but the event needed to feel bigger. There's no memorable moment. The fact that they made it seem like The Rock was handing the torch to Cena is laughable. You can't hand the torch to an 11 time world champion, that just makes no sense.
# 6
Gramps91 @ Apr 8
isn't HHH kind of already retired. I mean last year he comes out "thanks for letting me play the game" *sniff* and all that jazz. He wrestles like twice a year. As far as I'm concerned him and Taker are basically already retired just with some comeback matches once or twice a year.
With that said though, though I didn't watch it it did seem like a pretty poor build up and mania. I do hope to see the Punk/Taker match though
With that said though, though I didn't watch it it did seem like a pretty poor build up and mania. I do hope to see the Punk/Taker match though
# 7
stlstudios189 @ Apr 8
they made a mistake by booking it outside in new york in april. the crowd was out of it in the end. the build up anymore is just pointing to the damn sign for a month add some emotion darnit
# 8
psymin1 @ Apr 8
As you know, ExtremeGamer, I don't follow the product every week. That said, I heard about the Taker/CM Punk fued (two favorites) and started checking it out. I loved Paul Bearer and was so sad to hear of his passing, but the way that the WWE used his legacy - to build to an incredible Wrestlemania match - was outstanding. The blessing from his family definitely helped, of course. I loved that angle, though, so I started watching Raw. From there, I found out about the Brock Lesnar/Triple H no holds barred match, and absolutely had to see it.
Luckily enough I talked to my uncle and he ordered it. The whole event is one I will remember simply because it was my two uncles (the guys who got me into wrestling, and all sports, at a very young age) and my little cousin watching WRESTLEMANIA. It was an awesome night!
As for the card itself, we enjoyed it. Loved Taker/CM Punk, Lesnar/HHH, and even Rock/Cena. All of us are big Cena fans, unlike the rest of the world. The problem I had with the main event is that there was literally no doubt - 0% - in my mind that The Rock was going to lose. Because of this, there was very little drama in the main event, which definitely hurt when it became a reversal-fest at the end of it.
But, I still had a great time with it, and was glad to spend the night with my family watching the spectacle that is Wrestlemania.
Luckily enough I talked to my uncle and he ordered it. The whole event is one I will remember simply because it was my two uncles (the guys who got me into wrestling, and all sports, at a very young age) and my little cousin watching WRESTLEMANIA. It was an awesome night!
As for the card itself, we enjoyed it. Loved Taker/CM Punk, Lesnar/HHH, and even Rock/Cena. All of us are big Cena fans, unlike the rest of the world. The problem I had with the main event is that there was literally no doubt - 0% - in my mind that The Rock was going to lose. Because of this, there was very little drama in the main event, which definitely hurt when it became a reversal-fest at the end of it.
But, I still had a great time with it, and was glad to spend the night with my family watching the spectacle that is Wrestlemania.
# 9
DBMcGee3 @ Apr 9
I just can't get into it anymore. Not only are the storylines and match results incredibly predictable, but the time spent on promos now seems to far exceed the actual cumulative match time on an average week of Raw. Even the most charismatic of superstars (Rock, Austin, etc) are going to get boring if you put a mic in their hands for 5+ minutes every week. Someone mentioned the horrible mid-card earlier, and I really couldn't agree more about that. Am I the only one who would rather watch puppies bludgeoned than a match between "Team Hell No" and, well, anyone? I love puppies, for the record.
They need to trim the roster back down to just the cream of the crop, and possibly even ditch Smackdown altogether. Some better writing is also a must, obviously. Even TNA has better stuff than this going on right now, with the f#ckin Dudley Boyz main eventing. C'mon Vince.......
They need to trim the roster back down to just the cream of the crop, and possibly even ditch Smackdown altogether. Some better writing is also a must, obviously. Even TNA has better stuff than this going on right now, with the f#ckin Dudley Boyz main eventing. C'mon Vince.......
# 10
cusefan74 @ Apr 9
There is no Cena/Rock 3. The Rock is done I think. He was saying thank you to the crowd after the match like it was his last. Also I don't think people want to see another match with those two again.
Also I thought The Undertakers entrance was memorable. It was like he was coming out of the grave or something and you could see the hands reaching for him. I thought it was a great entrance.
Overall I thought it was a good show. But one thing is for sure, Wrestling is not nearly as good now as it was in the attitude eras. The wrestlers back then were better performers, in wrestling and talking.
Also I thought The Undertakers entrance was memorable. It was like he was coming out of the grave or something and you could see the hands reaching for him. I thought it was a great entrance.
Overall I thought it was a good show. But one thing is for sure, Wrestling is not nearly as good now as it was in the attitude eras. The wrestlers back then were better performers, in wrestling and talking.
ExtremeGamer
70
35,320 Forum Posts
32 Blog Entries
1 News/Blog Comments
39 Reader Score Votes
195 Friends
105 Chalkboard Messages
1 Screenshots
30 Videos
264,117 Arena Visits
ExtremeGamer's Blog Categories
ExtremeGamer's PSN Gamercard
' +
More
ExtremeGamer's Friends
Recent Visitors
The last 10 visitor(s) to this Arena were:
ExtremeGamer's Arena has had 264,117 visits
ExtremeGamer's Arena has had 264,117 visits
Working...
Everyone knew Undertake would win...everyone knew John Cena were going to win since Rock won last year...and everyone knew Triple H was going to win, as he isn't ready to retire yet...though he should.
What made the attitude era great was anything could and usually did happen. You never had a guarantee that a match would be won by {enter name} wrestler.
Plus back in the day, man a finisher was a big move...something special. These days every big match has about 4 at least.
Other than those 3 matches...nobody cared about the rest...another problem. The mid card is way past terrible it's not even funny. It's sad...10-15 years back wrestling was the best thing on tv...now it's one of the worst.