WWE 2K14: 10 Matches You'll Likely See in the "30 Years of Wrestlemania" Mode - Wiggy's Blog

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WWE 2K14: 10 Matches You'll Likely See in the "30 Years of Wrestlemania" Mode Stuck

Posted on August 14, 2013 at 05:24 PM.

(10)

I'll give 2K Sports some credit, as I didn't think they would do all that much with the retro stuff they had been touting. I'm pleasantly surprised that the "campaign" concept that the Attitude Era mode from last year created is being leveraged to highlight great moments in the (almost) 30-year history of the WWF/WWE's biggest pay-per-view event. The Attitude Era stuff from last year was really entertaining thanks to the slick presentation and cinematic recreation of the matches, and the use of key wrestlers, both past and present, helped make it all the more memorable.

Even though there were some gaps in the last mode, it still captured the spirit of a lot of the popular angles from the Monday Night Wars, DX, Taker and Kane, The Rock, and so on. With the WWE now acquiring the right to the Ultimate Warrior, there aren't really many gaps in terms of talent that they have to worry about. There's the odd guy who might have a unique rights deal, and certain people are obviously off limits (Chris Benoit comes to mind), but they should be able to do justice to the history of Wrestlemania, especially with 45-plus matches and all of the video presentation in between.

2K Sports has announced three of the matches in the mode, including Andre vs. Hulk, The Rock vs. Hulk and Cena vs. The Rock, but that leaves a lot of potential matches as possibilities. Most of the matches to be included will likely be main events, but some will have to come from further down the card. There will be some main events that won't be included for sure, as they involve people who, for one reason or another, likely won't appear in a WWE game (Lawrence Taylor, Mr. T, Sid Justice). Here are the 10 matches that I think are locks to be included in the mode.

(10) Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage @ Wrestlemania V - I see this match being included, as it was a significant feud for the time, culminating is this memorable showdown between two icons. I don't think Miss Elizabeth will be represented in the match (for obvious reasons), but it's one of the more significant fights in early 'Mania history. A lot of the previous Wrestlemania events had some goofy characters and match-ups that wouldn't lend themselves to this mode, so I think this fight and the Hogan vs. Andre showdown are the earliest ones you'll probably see.

(9) Hulk Hogan vs. The Ultimate Warrior @ Wrestlemania VI - There's no way that the WWE signs Warrior to this game and then doesn't include this match. This was the pinnacle of his career, such as it was, going over Hogan in the middle of the ring. I hope I get to re-enact Hogan kicking out at three to no-sell the finish.

(8) Shawn Micheals vs. Bret Hart @ Wrestlemania XII - Since both guys are in the game, it's pretty easy to see this one as a natural fit for the mode. The match has tons of drama, and it would make sense that the cinematic nature of this mode would allow the fight to not actually be the 60+ minutes that it was back in the day (an Iron Man match). To top it off, the match had a great finish, and it was a huge milestone in Micheals' career.

(7) Shawn Micheals vs. Steve Austin @ Wrestlemania XIV - Even though this match would be a re-tread from its inclusion in last year's Attitude Era version, I think it's too much of an important 'Mania moment to not make it in. They have the rights to everybody involved, including Tyson, and the match was significant for tons of reasons, including the amusing backstage politics that were going on at the time.

(6) The Rock vs. Mick Foley vs. Triple H vs. The Big Show @ Wrestlemania 2000 - I don't think this match was particularly memorable or "important" in the history of 'Mania, but I think it will be included nonetheless since they own the rights to all of the guys. The Rock is on the cover for this game, so it makes sense that a match like this would be included, where he features quite prominently. (editor's note: I originally said the Rock won this match, but my foggy brain forgot that Triple H actually went over here)

(5) The Rock vs. Steve Austin @ Wrestlemania X-Seven - This contest was significant for a lot of reasons, including the fact that it was a 'Mania match that included the two biggest stars of the time. Since it took place in Texas and had a bizarre Austin heel turn in his home town (including the involvement of Mr. McMahon), it seems like a pretty sure thing that this match will make it in. I'm imagining the silliness of re-enacting Austin delivering chair shots as McMahon hops along with glee. It will be interesting to see how they contextualize this in the video packages, as it was quite strange to take a hometown guy and turn him heel in front of people who just wanted to cheer him.

(4) Chris Jericho vs. Triple H @ Wrestlemania X8 - Since the devs are rendering all of the Wrestlemania arenas, I see this match being included as well, since it takes place at Skydome in Toronto (which the previously referenced Warrior vs. Hogan match took place at). This match featured all kinds of interference from Stephanie McMahon, which works well for this cinematic mode, and it had a good deal of build-up going in. It's a natural fit for the mode.

(3) John Cena vs. Triple H @ Wrestlemania 22 - This match also seems like a shoe-in, as it was the first main event 'Mania appearance by John Cena, and it had a great finishing sequence. Since I don't see 2K including the "other" time that HHH tapped out in the middle of a Wrestlemania ring, this fight makes sense. Points to 2K if they include the crazy Conan and gangster entrances of Triple H and Cena, respectively.

(2) Triple H vs. Randy Orton @ Wrestlemania XXV - I'd say this memorable showdown involving Orton and Triple H makes sense for the mode, as it had tons of OMG-type moments that would work for the match. There were referee bumps, announce table spots, sledgehammer spots and lots of finishing moves. The pre-match stipulation of no DQs or count-outs for Triple H would also make for good presentation and context for the fight.

(1) The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels @ Wrestlemania XXVI - For as many matches as 'Taker has been in at Wrestlemania, I think this is the one that is definitely included. Sure, they might include his X-Seven match with HHH or one of the Kane-Taker showdowns (or hell, get Giant Gonzalez in there for maximum ridiculousness), but this contest makes the most sense. The match had tons of high-spots and finishing moves, and it had plenty of cinematic moments, including Micheals' taunting and post-match fan interaction.

Final Thoughts

These are just some of the matches that will (likely) be included, but there are really dozens that could be in the final game. I do hope that the devs include some of the obscure matches, even if they can't quite get all of the participants (managers, etc.). If they got the "gimmick battle royal" from Wrestlemania X-Seven, I think that would be the greatest thing ever.

Comments

# 1 Gramps91 @ Aug 14

some of these sound really cool. I hope it isn't to legend flooded though, I'd rather have more current guys.

# 2 bigdoc85 @ Aug 14

pre-ordering!

# 3 marq @ Aug 14

Great list. Unfortunately, Rock did not go over in Mania 2000 (McMahon in every corner, Triple H leaves with title). He didn't win until Backlash the next month. I also think you may be forgetting Savage v. Steamboat WMIII as I can't see them leaving that one out. Also, wouldn't be surprised to see Michaels v. Flair from 24. Should be fun

# 4 maltliquor23 @ Aug 14

HHH and taker from WM 17, Bret Austin from WM 13 Razor HBK from WM 10, Taker Kane from WM 14 would be great as their first meeting. Piper Hart from WM 8 would be a great addition Flair's matches from 8 18 and 24 would all be awesome as well. I would not be surprised to see WM 4 title tournament match with Dibiase and savage. The retirement match between Warrior and savage at WM 7. Jericho Michaels from 19.

The triple threat tag team ladder match from WM 17 and MitB WM matches likely won't happen due to amount of wrestlers under contract to TNA.

I could go on forever. but as i have just proven i am a wrestling nerd.

# 5 LegendKilla13 @ Aug 15

Im hoping for Razor Ramon v Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania X

# 6 LegendKilla13 @ Aug 15

warrior v macho man wrestlemania VII should be in too

# 7 Wiggy @ Aug 15

Quote:


	marq @ Aug 15 (4 Hours Ago) Great list. Unfortunately, Rock did not go over in Mania 2000 (McMahon in every corner, Triple H leaves with title). He didn't win until Backlash the next month. I also think you may be forgetting Savage v. Steamboat WMIII as I can't see them leaving that one out. Also, wouldn't be surprised to see Michaels v. Flair from 24. Should be fun

Good point. I've corrected the story, as I totally forgot that HHH went over.

I did remember Steamboat vs. Savage (and I even watched it for reference in this piece), but I'm not totally convinced that they'd include it. I think they have the rights to Steamboat from the "All Stars" game, but the match itself is quite technical, and who knows whether they feel that would warrant inclusion. Either way, I'd love to see it.

Quote:


	Im hoping for Razor Ramon v Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania X

I agree. It seems like Scott Hall is negotiating to be in the game, according to his Twitter (maybe he's confused and it's actually the next game), but either way, it would add a lot more potential matches to the mix.