LG
04-07-2013, 03:08 PM
On so many levels, the WWE wants us all to love and appreciate the rematch between John Cena and The Rock in the main event of WrestleMania 29.
Unfortunately, the other storylines are just too great for that to be the case.
The first-ever back-to-back WrestleMania rematch between the World Champion—The Rock—and the challenger—Cena—is set to be the headlining match on Sunday night at MetLife stadium.
The WWE has billed this event as "redemption vs. greatness," capitalizing on both stars' ability to be a big draw on the pay-per-view.
Although the People's Champ is the current belt-holder, there are those that can't fathom the big-time movie star winning this match at MetLife.
While he will likely go down as one of the best in WWE history and still has a long-term future with the company (he was announced as the cover wrestler for WWE 2K '14 on Saturday morning on Twitter), another rematch only has life with a Cena return to the top.
For the sake of fairness, the title fight should be one that goes down as another chapter in the epic history of both fighters.
This is the first-ever back-to-back rematch at WrestleMania, and a John Cena heel angle or potential return to the top of the sport for the first time in quite some time would be enough to keep fans interested until the next big match.
There's no shot that this fight gets lost in the shuffle without the necessary exposure—which it obviously will have.
There is a shot, though, that the Cena-Rock title fight gets overshadowed by the end of the night. In fact, count on that happening at WrestleMania 29.
I'll give you three reasons to expect a killer card at MetLife Stadium that has nothing to do with the current and former World Champion—Triple H, the CM Punk-Undertaker match and Dolph Ziggler.
For starters, Triple H's career is on the line at WrestleMania.
The stipulation for the long-time WWE legend has been signed, sealed and delivered to Paul Heyman prior to his match with Brock Lesnar—a revenge match of sorts after Lesnar took care of Triple H at SummerSlam 2012.
With Shawn Michaels in his corner and the threat of retirement in place, this 2012 rematch between two foes has more wide-ranging ramifications for Triple H than either of the fighters in the big match, in large part because Triple H could join HBK on the retirement-home love seat at the end of the match.
Per the usual, expect suspense from Dolph Ziggler.
As chronicled by ESPN's Jon Robinson in an exclusive interview prior to Sunday's card, Ziggler is anxious to "shock the world" at MetLife Stadium. He is the only man that can walk away with two belts on Sunday night, with a tag-team championship match already in place and his Money in the Bank briefcase always ready to make an appearance for a World Title fight.
Ziggler is a WWE star that could take the next step to the big-time with two belts at WrestleMania 29. That should provide you with all the suspense you might not get watching Cena and the Rock in another clash between the two men.
Finally, CM Punk and the Undertaker could easily wind up stealing the show at WrestleMania.
The two stars haven't been showcased quite as much over the past few weeks, but the Paul Bearer storyline and Punk's choice to steal his urn has really cranked up this feud while we've been waiting for Sunday's pay-per-view.
Throw in Taker's 20-0 career record at WrestleMania and the personal hate he likely feels for Punk after this urn incident, and we're looking at ego, revenge and talent being thrown into one huge package for your viewing pleasure in this fight.
In fact, it very well could have been the headliner if promoted the right way.
As it is, we get Cena and Rock.
Don't get me wrong—the duo has individually and collectively been quite good in each of their WWE careers. There's a reason the match is happening for a second straight year—it puts fans in the seats, and will likely be another huge take in the PPV department.
Call it excellent planning by the company or laziness at the top of the card, but there's a good chance the rest of the card will usurp the title and final fight of the night at this 29th annual clash of WWE talent.
It's a good problem to have if you're a fan of the sport. While the title fight will be must-see TV at the end of the card, you can also bank on huge surprises in the opening and middle of the same set of fights.
While we'll likely see another Rock and Cena clash in the near-future you don't have to hang your hat on that part of the card on Sunday night.
Expect Triple H, Ziggler, Punk and the Deadman to carry this card enough to the point that anything we get from Rock and Cena is gravy on a stellar card.
Like I said, it's a good problem to have.
BR
Unfortunately, the other storylines are just too great for that to be the case.
The first-ever back-to-back WrestleMania rematch between the World Champion—The Rock—and the challenger—Cena—is set to be the headlining match on Sunday night at MetLife stadium.
The WWE has billed this event as "redemption vs. greatness," capitalizing on both stars' ability to be a big draw on the pay-per-view.
Although the People's Champ is the current belt-holder, there are those that can't fathom the big-time movie star winning this match at MetLife.
While he will likely go down as one of the best in WWE history and still has a long-term future with the company (he was announced as the cover wrestler for WWE 2K '14 on Saturday morning on Twitter), another rematch only has life with a Cena return to the top.
For the sake of fairness, the title fight should be one that goes down as another chapter in the epic history of both fighters.
This is the first-ever back-to-back rematch at WrestleMania, and a John Cena heel angle or potential return to the top of the sport for the first time in quite some time would be enough to keep fans interested until the next big match.
There's no shot that this fight gets lost in the shuffle without the necessary exposure—which it obviously will have.
There is a shot, though, that the Cena-Rock title fight gets overshadowed by the end of the night. In fact, count on that happening at WrestleMania 29.
I'll give you three reasons to expect a killer card at MetLife Stadium that has nothing to do with the current and former World Champion—Triple H, the CM Punk-Undertaker match and Dolph Ziggler.
For starters, Triple H's career is on the line at WrestleMania.
The stipulation for the long-time WWE legend has been signed, sealed and delivered to Paul Heyman prior to his match with Brock Lesnar—a revenge match of sorts after Lesnar took care of Triple H at SummerSlam 2012.
With Shawn Michaels in his corner and the threat of retirement in place, this 2012 rematch between two foes has more wide-ranging ramifications for Triple H than either of the fighters in the big match, in large part because Triple H could join HBK on the retirement-home love seat at the end of the match.
Per the usual, expect suspense from Dolph Ziggler.
As chronicled by ESPN's Jon Robinson in an exclusive interview prior to Sunday's card, Ziggler is anxious to "shock the world" at MetLife Stadium. He is the only man that can walk away with two belts on Sunday night, with a tag-team championship match already in place and his Money in the Bank briefcase always ready to make an appearance for a World Title fight.
Ziggler is a WWE star that could take the next step to the big-time with two belts at WrestleMania 29. That should provide you with all the suspense you might not get watching Cena and the Rock in another clash between the two men.
Finally, CM Punk and the Undertaker could easily wind up stealing the show at WrestleMania.
The two stars haven't been showcased quite as much over the past few weeks, but the Paul Bearer storyline and Punk's choice to steal his urn has really cranked up this feud while we've been waiting for Sunday's pay-per-view.
Throw in Taker's 20-0 career record at WrestleMania and the personal hate he likely feels for Punk after this urn incident, and we're looking at ego, revenge and talent being thrown into one huge package for your viewing pleasure in this fight.
In fact, it very well could have been the headliner if promoted the right way.
As it is, we get Cena and Rock.
Don't get me wrong—the duo has individually and collectively been quite good in each of their WWE careers. There's a reason the match is happening for a second straight year—it puts fans in the seats, and will likely be another huge take in the PPV department.
Call it excellent planning by the company or laziness at the top of the card, but there's a good chance the rest of the card will usurp the title and final fight of the night at this 29th annual clash of WWE talent.
It's a good problem to have if you're a fan of the sport. While the title fight will be must-see TV at the end of the card, you can also bank on huge surprises in the opening and middle of the same set of fights.
While we'll likely see another Rock and Cena clash in the near-future you don't have to hang your hat on that part of the card on Sunday night.
Expect Triple H, Ziggler, Punk and the Deadman to carry this card enough to the point that anything we get from Rock and Cena is gravy on a stellar card.
Like I said, it's a good problem to have.
BR