WWE shocked most of the wrestling world by keeping the WWE Heavyweight Championship on not-so-popular but heavily discussed, John Cena at WrestleMania 22. No heel turn took place with John Cena and Triple H did not officially turn face but received a loud pop in front of the WrestleMania crowd in Chicago. Is WWE making the right decision to keep going in this direction by going against popular opinion or will they keep up the fantasy that the hate for Cena is only regulated to certain markets? Cena has openly admitted, as well as it being pointed out to him, that he is not the best wrestler in the WWE. Sadly, during the main event match that some of my peers in the Internet Wrestling Community have given four stars, Cena looked carried by Triple H and with very little offense the entire match. Now, WWE is labeling fans against Cena as “traditionalists.” Does that really mean, fans who wish against the current booking by WWE Creative? I have no problem for a win if it makes sense, but it never made sense that John Cena lost to Kurt Angle and it dumbs down what wrestling is supposed to be when John Cena can also beat Triple H. John Cena wants to elevate the title but I think he is doing the exact opposite. Triple H isn’t the most refreshing thing to happen to the WWE main event scene, but WWE fans are desperately looking for a change of pace. Edge being pushed toward the main event, as well as Rob Van Dam winning Money in the Bank, would be fresh and interesting choices for WWE creative to run with. Smackdown‘s main event at WrestleMania with Randy Orton, Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio Jr. was much more exciting and would have been a more positive way to end the show with Mysterio’s first ever World Heavyweight Championship win.
WrestleMania was not ruined for me by my disagreement with Cena retaining, because so many of the matches delivered big time. The best written storyline in wrestling continues on with Mickie James winning over the Chicago crowd and defeating the usual popular Trish Stratus for the WWE Women’s Championship who couldn’t do anything without getting jeered. People are complaining about the botched spot, but that didn’t bother me whatsoever because Trish was selling her leg being hurt anyway and they gave great psychology in their match and continue to tell a great story. Both women have a lot to be proud of and it’s great to see the fans reacting to both in such a positive way. Kudos to Mickie for her amazing facial expressions and suggestive thoughts, the new hero of the Internet Wrestling Community. I have a major problem when critics can give something like the lack of wrestling in the Cena/Triple H match two stars, and the work ethic and actual psychology in the James/Stratus match only two stars. The women have always worked just as hard as the men and now that they are getting good camera time with their main storyline deserve the proper appreciation.
Mick Foley and Edge, as well as Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon did a superb job in their gimmick/speciality matches to tell their storylines on the big stage. All the big risks were taken and the crowd was with them all the way through. It looks like Edge is going to be able to move on and join the main event mix but it doesn’t seem like McMahon versus Michaels is over with the entrance of the Almighty coming in. This is really dangerous territory for McMahon to book because of people who are spiritual who happen to support the WWE. There’s a possibility “God” could be a swerve to bring in a new wrestler who happens to have those initials. I’m personally not big on the idea of having it booked this way but I’m having to trust Michaels personal judgment to take part in such a angle in knowing what direction this will go before the end of the month. However, they are going to have to explain it quickly because people do have their breaking point of support and just like the WWE should not force Eddy Guerrero in every story that has to do with Rey Mysterio or Chavo Guerrero, it’s not neccessary to put God on the card.
Debuting Armando Estrada and Umanga, who was formerly Three Minute Warning’s Jamal, in Ric Flair’s segment might have looked good on paper, but came across badly live on RAW. Going old school and bringing talent as tattooed savages who looks like a member of the Somoan Swat Team is not the way to go. Not only did the segment felt long, but it was boring, and Flair sold it as if he was beaten down by the Spirit Squad. I don’t know how the WWE plans to make up for it but this is a total step backwards if Flair has to build up the Artist Formerly Forgotten As Jamal.
I am okay with the heel turn of Carlito on Chris Masters, even though the fans are currently rejecting Carlito as the heel in the situation because he has a personality whereas Chris Masters lacks one could pose a problem if WWE is going to keep on deciding who the fans should cheer or boo. The turn would have meant more in the long run if WWE had let them win the WWE belts at WrestleMania and lose the belts to the Spirit Squad on RAW the next night to set up the turn to have even more meaning as Carlito could accuse of Masters screwing up everything not even twenty-four hours of their win. Instead, the Spirit Squad are WWE Tag Team Champions, defeating the Big Show and Kane, so the college basketball season may be over but the gimmick won’t go away.
Overall WWE should be proud of the show they put on for WrestleMania 22, however, RAW for me could have been more than what it was. Not knowing if the WWE Draft will take place again, it would be a good time to implement that to freshen up all the divisions and give us a break as well as hopefully move on from Bret Hart and Eddy Guerrero being so heavily involved in key storylines. It really is possible to write a storyline that has nothing to do with exaggerated stereotypes, screw jobs in Canada, booking God to work a show and Eddy watching WWE matches up from Heaven.
Thanks to all those who tune into the Big E Sports show at rocklandworldradio.com every Tuesday between 7-8 EST to hear hosts Erik Fenton, Dave Lagreca and I to discuss professional wrestling (sometimes, at least for a few minutes) and whatever else is going on! You just never know what we’re going to talk about next! Always remember, for things to change, you have to make movement. Thanks for reading and for all the feedback, feel free to contact me anytime at Bam@4sternstaging.com.
