Wrestlemania XXX

[PurdueBrad]

Thought I would get a thread going as the HOF induction is tonight (big Warrior fan from my childhood days) and Wrestlemania is tomorrow. I've found myself coming in and out of wrestling over the last few years (usually don't watch and then football ends and for a couple months get caught up in the Road to Wrestlemania stuff).

Early questions:

Can WWE Network handle the traffic for tomorrow's event?
Will CM Punk return?
Will Stone Cold Steve Austin get involved as he is slated to be there?
Who are the three mystery participants in the Andre the Giant Invitational?

I'll post my answers to these and my predictions later with spoilers so you don't have read them if you don't want to.

[BillJasper]

They still do these?

[PilotMan]

I haven't watched a Wrestlemania live ever. Tomorrow may be the first even though I've casually been following wrestling for years.

[PurdueBrad]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

They still do these?

Hehe, yeah, 30 of 'em in fact.


Can WWE Network handle the traffic for tomorrow's event?
I'm not optimistic on this point but it won't stop me from trying to watch it live. I'm hoping that they're using the HOF induction to test out the system but I'm not sure how many will actually tune in.

Will CM Punk return?
I genuinely don't think so despite the number of websites reporting it. I've heard several sites point out an interesting storyline where CM Punk would show up at the end of the tripe threat match and make his presence known and ultimately get a title shot on the next day's Raw.

Will Stone Cold Steve Austin get involved as he is slated to be there?
I have a thought on this with either him or HBK that would be very interesting so I'll go out on a limb that some way Stone Cold will be involved and I'll put it in my predictions.

Who are the three mystery participants in the Andre the Giant Invitational?
I've heard a couple names tossed around and none particularly excite me. Wade Barrett, RVD's return and Alexander Rusev are the one's I've heard. I've heard CM Punk here as well, particularly after the near run he put on in the Royal Rumble but again I don't really see it. I would definitely agree with Rusev and RVD but I hope they having a decent surprise or two in store like with Royal Rumble. I'll really go out on a limb here and say Hulk Hogan as I thought, going back to the announcement with Cena, that I thought he was going to say he was entering himself to honor Andre before the Wyatt's interrupted.

[SirFozzie]

Let's see.. $65 for the PPV on FIOS or $9.99 for WWE Network, even with the possible delays and having to watch it a day or to later.. plus all the other stuff that goes with it

[PurdueBrad]

Predictions for Wrestlemania XXX

Pre-Show: 4 way tag-team championship: The Usos, The Real Americans, Los Matadores and RybAxel

Spoiler

The Usos have to win this as I feel like WWE is really yet to cash in on what could be a very interesting rivalry between the Usos and the New Age Outlaws. It's been brewing but nothing has been done with it yet. A number of people are predicting the end of the Real Americans here which I don't quite see and thought if that was the route they wanted to go then I would've had them win, everything be good and happy, and then both enter the Andre The Giant match and have Cesaro throw Swagger out which would break up their friendship. This would be cool to watch them have to defend the belt while hating each other. So I go Usos here.

Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H for entry into the Triple Threat Championship match

Spoiler

I think this one is basically foregone but it's just a matter of how it happens. I believe that Triple H, via either a sledgehammer under the ring or interference (Kane, HBK or Stephanie), will be on the verge of winning when the ultimate WWE outlaw of Stone Cold Steve Austin runs in and puts a stop to it, guaranteeing a fair match and ultimately a win for Daniel Bryan. I've read an interesting prediction that's calling for an angry Vince, after the match, to demand that both Triple H and Daniel Bryan go into the Championship match making it a Fatal Four-Way but I don't see it.

Divas Invitational Match

Spoiler

I genuinely think that AJ Lee wins this match continuing her record run as Diva's Champ. To do so though I think she ultimately does something to betray/screw Tamina who will get a title shot at perhaps the next PPV if not sooner. The Divas division, like the Tag-Team division, has gotten more interesting but it's not quite there yet. Plus if Lee wins it would be great to see Vicki eat crow.

The Shield vs. Kane and New Age Outlaws

Spoiler

It seems like the Shield is on the verge of going good-guy to some degree. I can't decide if the whole group will go babyface or just Roman Reigns but that dictates what happens here. Thus far I've had Triple H/Stephanie of the Authority lose and Vicki (pseudo Authority member) fail in her quest so this could make a clean sweep. I think The Shield wins but I would really be interested to see Seth and Dean turn on Roman with him getting a shot at Dean's belt on Monday.

The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Spoiler

No reward other than the trophy makes this open to basically the whole field as there is no real guaranteed storyline to sprout from it. There are some guys that have had some good heat lately so I'm thinking that the last four in the ring will be: Ziggler, Sheamus, The Big Show and the Miz. IF he's there then I think Rusev will be in the final five. I think Ziggler wins the Battle Royal unless Rusev is there and then I think it'll be Rusev for a big push.

Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena

Spoiler

Too many babyfaces will have won up to this point so this will turn things some. I think Wyatt absolutely destroys Cena in what may be the best match of the night in regards to in-ring performance. In fact, Cena leaves via stretcher/backboard/ambulance as Wyatt crushes him. This could set-up another interesting rivalry leading up to Payback if Cena is injured.

Undertaker vs. Lesner

Spoiler

I genuinely think there is no way that this match goes Lesner's way as it would be insanely "bad for business" if Undertaker's streak were to fall to an B+/A- challenger like Lesner. I do think Heyman gets choke-slammed or Tombstoned over the course of the match. Undertaker wins and, it would be pretty awesome if this were the quickest match of the night. The streak continues...

Triple Threat Match- Orton, Batista and ???

Spoiler

Well, you know I think it's Bryan. The crowd is absolutely insane as Austin even walks Bryan down to the ring and stays nearby. I believe that Orton and Batista spend too much time trying to mutually destroy Bryan and ignoring each other until, like an earlier match, Bryan sidesteps a move and it leaves Batista crushing Orton. The tide quickly turns here as Orton lays and Bryan systematically takes care of Batista. Bryan wins with Batista laying outside of the ring and genuinely pins the champ to take the title. I think at Raw that you'll see nearly the whole roster cheer Bryan's victory as they gear up to take him down as well.

[twothree]

I always liked watching the Hall of Fame ceremonies on the
Wrestlemania DVDs. This should be a good show.

[PurdueBrad]

Punk sightings all over New Orleans it looks like:

CM Punk New Orleans Sightings: WrestleMania 30 To Feature WWE Return Due To AJ Lee Engagement?

[General Mike]

Love Wrestlemania. Gonna get some subs and what not. I have the network, but I ordered the PPV to be safe.

I watched a decent amount of the Hall of Fame last night. Some of those speeches were just too long tho as Lita went forever and so did Mr. T. Jake the Snake's speech was great tho. I missed Paul Bearer, Scott Hall and Carlos Colon tho. Ultimate Warrior's speech wasn't what I expected but it was good.

My thoughts on the matches

4 way Tag - Think Uso's have to win. Real Americans seem like they are about to split up and the other 2 teams have been positioned as jobbers.

Bryan vs HHH - Bryan has to win this one.

Divas Match - I could see Brie winning this one. I don't really care. I'm pretty sure the plan was originally to do a one on one between AJ and Naomi (i think thats her, the Funkadactyl with the eye patch), so maybe Naomi takes it.

Shield vs Kane and Outlaws - I'd like to see the Shield get a decent run on the babyface side, so I think they should win this one.

Battle Royale - I don't care. I just want to see someone win and then the trophy gets destroyed. I'll go with Sheamus since he was originally supposed to wrestle Daniel Bryan on this show.

Wyatt vs Cena - I'll go with Cena, since I think he needs to get his revenge after they cost him the title at the previous 2 PPVs.

Undertaker vs Lesnar - Undertaker isn't losing. Lesnar doesn't need the win to be made and Undertaker shouldn't lose until he's going to retire.

3 way title match - Bryan should win, but you never know. A heel has won the main event at Mania, like twice ever so I think he has to win. If someone else is going to win it's really going to piss off the people who spent big money on this show.

[dubb93]

The live stream last night worked flawlessly for me. Never buffered and was in HD the entire night. I'm optimistic about the quality of the feed tonight.

[murrayyyyy]

Thoughts...

Bryan vs HHH - Bryan has to win this one. HHH sledghammers him after and Bryan is taken out in ambulance (for drama later). Match has to happen first. Gets crowd into the show. This way they can do Bryan updates the entire show to take up time.

4 way Tag - Uso's because they are loved. Real Americans need a split but it probably won't happen.

Divas Match - The Hart girl? Total Divas is going on and they need some bling on that show.

Battle Royale - Rusev wins. Something goofy happens. Maybe Stone Cold comes out and stuns the guy for a cheap pop.

Shield vs Kane and Outlaws - Shield goes over on Kane. Maybe Kane disappears for a while (doesn't he want to go into politics IRL?). Leaving they "bump" into Wyatts and take out the 2 guys leaving Bray alone...

Wyatt vs Cena - Wyatt wins because you don't need to put Cena over here. He has no help leaving him a "clean" win.

Undertaker vs Lesnar - Taker wins because Brock will get revenge on RAW. This way Taker is gone for a while but some scorpion guy will come in to the picture to take on Taker next year. Would love for Taker to be celebrating and then a spotlight put on him with Stings logo. Then lights shine up and they show Sting who point his bat (because he has to have a bat and spotlight, right?)

3 way title match - Boo-tista. No Bryan to start the match. Comes back and gets out of ambulance. Fantasy booker in me says Bryan has the pin on Orton but no ref is in sight. Punks music hits (place freaks out). Bryan stands up to look for Punk. Sprear by Boo-tista for the win. This way RAW can play up Punk's motives without having him there.

[PurdueBrad]

Originally Posted by dubb93

The live stream last night worked flawlessly for me. Never buffered and was in HD the entire night. I'm optimistic about the quality of the feed tonight.

Glad to hear it dubb, hoping for the same today.

[Toddzilla]

CM Punk was at the Blackhawks game this afternoon - photographed even - so he definitely is not in New Orleans -- yet?

[Ajaxab]

Anyone else having slightly glitchy audio on the network? It's not bad by any stretch, but it's not 100% clear either.

[PurdueBrad]

Yep, sound issues here too. Very tinny for the last 15 minutes.

[General Mike]

Usos retain!

[General Mike]

great opening segment and great first match.

[INDalltheway]

Seeing Hogan, The Rock, and SCSA chugging beers was awesome. The quality of the WWE Network has been superb so far. *knock on wood*

[SirFozzie]

so far, not one glitch with sound or picture. wow.

[PurdueBrad]

A couple buffering moments but VERY short. Definitely good quality.

Severely disappointed by the Wyatt-Cena match.

[Carman Bulldog]

I notice that it's been skipping back a few times just a few seconds on WWE Network. Nothing major, not freezing or losing the connection. Just a minor annoyance.

[EagleFan]

WTF is a CM Punk?

[SirFozzie]

I have to disagree.. the match was very good, and if Cena lost it (meaning "went to the darkside") it would have been.. too soon.. I would've preferred Wyatt winning, to make Cena think.. but I don't think that the feud is over.

edit: making it clear what I meant

[kingfc22]

No way Undertaker loses tonight.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

CM Punk was at the Blackhawks game this afternoon - photographed even - so he definitely is not in New Orleans -- yet?

Yeah, I have to think that he had plenty of time to get there. So I wouldn't count it out.

[SirFozzie]

this match is "Bowling Shoe Ugly"

One match too far?

[PilotMan]

Damn I had higher hopes for this fight so far. Really slow paced. I guess they are just trying to save their energy for the finish.

[General Mike]

Undertaker looks ridiculous, but I guess thats what I should expect from a 50 year old.

[SirFozzie]

Flair was four years older when Michaels retired him.

But then again, Flair didn't have hip replacement surgery.

[PilotMan]

Good lord this has no flow or danger at all.

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

No way Undertaker loses tonight.

Would you like a redo?

[Carman Bulldog]

Awesome. Just awesome.

[PilotMan]

Shock. Well played.

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Would you like a redo?

Everyone in the crowd...stunned

[JonInMiddleGA]

Chat room I'm watching is blowing the fuck up ... botch? injury?

Nobody I'm reading seems to be believing this was planned (never mind the whole upset/shock/stun nature of it)

[SirFozzie]

Undertaker's done. That's the last match.

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Chat room I'm watching is blowing the fuck up ... botch? injury?

Nobody I'm reading seems to be believing this was planned (never mind the whole upset/shock/stun nature of it)

Looks like it was planned. I think taker went to WWE and said "I'm done."

Michaels retired Flair.
Undertaker retired Michaels

And I think Lesnar just retired the Undertaker

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Undertaker's done. That's the last match.

If so (and honestly, I can believe that might be the case) ... that might just be the greatest shit-on-the-fans moment in Vince history.

[kingfc22]

Seems like they are trying to force a standing ovation here, but the crowd isn't going for it.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

If so (and honestly, I can believe that might be the case) ... that might just be the greatest shit-on-the-fans moment in Vince history.

I get if they want to break the streak, but why do it with Lesnar? Why not do it for someone who will be around for years to come and could use the push?

[PilotMan]

It certainly appears that's the case. I think they are just waiting for the whole thing to dawn on the crowd that he's done.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I get if they want to break the streak, but why do it with Lesnar? Why not do it for someone who will be around for years to come and could use the push?

Why not for someone who deserves -- in any sense of the word -- a push?

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I get if they want to break the streak, but why do it with Lesnar? Why not do it for someone who will be around for years to come and could use the push?

Who would they give it to that the fans would buy?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Who would they give it to that the fans would buy?

I think I might have swallowed just about anybody on the roster before this. Hell, what's Santino doing these days?

[jbergey22]

Shocker! Good move WWE. Cant make everything so predictable.

[PurdueBrad]

I'm amazed, stunned. The shots of the crowd were amazing.

Again, not sure why Brock but, honestly, they don't have a truly destructive, dangerous big bad guy and maybe it'll be Brock now.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by PurdueBrad

I'm amazed, stunned. The shots of the crowd were amazing.

Again, not sure why Brock but, honestly, they don't have a truly destructive, dangerous big bad guy and maybe it'll be Brock now.

Lets hope they dont piss this away.

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Looks like it was planned. I think taker went to WWE and said "I'm done."

Michaels retired Flair.
Undertaker retired Michaels

And I think Lesnar just retired the Undertaker

Has to be. I'm not sure Lesnar was the right guy to end the streak, because I don't think he's committed to WWE long term, and the business model changed with the network where they can't get increased buyrates from having him on a couple PPVs each year. If Undertaker is retiring, it was the right move then, and it's pretty funny considering the plan was to do Rock vs Brock a year ago before Rock got hurt.

[dubb93]

It should have been Bray.

[RainMaker]

Thinking about it, it would have been an amazing thing for Bray Wyatt to do. No one would have expected it and it would have been huge for him. Shit, even if you don't want to give it to a young guy, let Cena, Orton or any established guy who will be there for awhile do it.