Meltz says that someone told him he wouldn't like Cena's planned mania matchup.

http://33.media.tumblr.com/4327509bf...sj00o5_400.gif

Mysterious "reporting" from Meltz

For the record, I'm good with Orton vs Cena. I don't remember the last big match they had, they are two of the all time greats, and as far as I can remember they never had a one on one Mania match. Kinda reminds me of HHH and Rocky. They had tons of matches, but never had that one on one match at Mania.

It was at everyones favourite event, the 2014 Rumble.

I can't blame you for not remembering it, it wasn't very memorable.

I'm not even sure if I watched that show.

Goldberg vs Lesnar wasnt well received in 2004, seems to be doing well now. So I wouldn't be too worried about a Cena v Orton match (if that's even the direction).

We'll have to wait for more scoopz from the"reporters". Maybe once they shoot the angle, the "reporters" will break the story on the direction. Much like the hot scoop about Sasha turning heel after she cuts a hell promo on Bayley on TV.

Honestly, they pretty much liked everything.

The girl loved John Cena. The guy kind of popped for everything, he just like the showmanship and the dedication. He got a huge kick out of it. I think he was like "holy shit" when Owens fell through the chairs, and just kind of how ridiculous all of it was. I think it was novel watching it for the first time.

If Cena vs Orton doesn't close it could be alright. If it closes that is lol

And there's some stipulation that says they will never face each other ever again. It would be the 79th time they'd be involved in the same match.

According to profightdb it'd actually be the 152nd.

Well now that this story of a potential Orton/Cena match at Mania is breaking, I'm gonna join the "i'm down with that" bandwagon. Cena/Orton is one of my favorite contemporary feuds ever, those guys are made to work together. So yeah I'm down with that, but I don't think it's happening. I think that Cena is going to drop the title at Elimination Chamber, Wyatt get's the belt and whomever it is that causes Cena to loose is who he goes against at Mania. I'm thinking it might be Baron Corbin now, since Dave said it's a match we probably aren't going to like.

BTW, Cena/Orton was just me speculating. Noone has hinted at that

I did go back to watch the 2014 Rumble title match though, it's hilarious and the match is so bad.

2014 Rumble title match amazingly hasn't been edited. Loud Daniel Bryan chants.

JBL: "I don't think the fans realise that Daniel Bryan wrestled earlier in the night. And lost!"

We want Angle chants now.

"You both suck" chant aimed at the Orton V Cena match.

Cole, during the chant: "This crowd is electric!!!"

This is slow paced and seemingly building to nothing. The only thing that got a positive reaction so far was Orton kicking Cena to stop the 5 knuckle shuffle. And rightfully so.

Ref bump, STF, Orton taps out, Orton hits him with the belt, expected kickout.

Prolonged un-needed waiting around, AA outta nowhere, kickout at 2.

"We want refunds" chant breaks out

Lawler: "Haha, you gotta love the WWE Universe, they're doing anything to distract Orton!"

Orton has a stroll around the ring for a while and looks like he smelled a fart. Locks in a better STF than Cena does.

Reversed into a crossface by Cena...

Orton hits an AA for 2

Orton takes a year to stand up, shakes his head. Feels like more pointless delaying for some reason.

Cena hits an RKO OUTTA NOWHERE for a 2 count

Slowly walking to the turnbuckle for a super AA spot, blocked, another STF.

Wyatts have finally shown up to a huge pop to save this tortured crowd

RKO, pin, woo.

I subscribe to the observer so when Dave told me that I may not like the match for Cena at WM, I thought he would be referring to Cena/Corbin or Cena/Orton. It's a natural thought progression, and moreover to me, it's a great idea. (Cena/Orton)

There was a rumor that Cena was pitched several ideas such as Joe, Taker or him and Nikki V Miz and Maryse.

I mean, it could be the last one.

Love Cena and Orton but they seem to have awful chemistry with each other. It never turns out well.

It won't be Cena vs Orton. It will be:

Orton vs Bray
Cena/Nikki vs Miz/Maryse

I never thought of the mixed tag, man that's a horrible idea.

I would be very interested in having Luke Harper go over Orton and insert himself into the inevitable Orton/Wyatt clash, making it a triple threat. Sure he's kind of a nobody, more or less but his work is so fucking good, even just that one lariat to Bray made mark out during the Rumble. I think it's a cool concept, the Wyatt Fam's explosion, plus I really think that match could be great. Better than without Harper, that's for sure.

He got one of the biggest non-elimination/entrance pops at the Rumble teasing that Sister Abigal on Bray.

Even if not at Mania, I think it could be a fun feud.

Cena vs Miz could be pretty good, no tag match though please.

It seems like a letdown at the moment but they could, in theory, build up a story that makes Cena vs Miz feel like a big deal. Miz manages to eliminate Cena from the chamber match somehow but loses the match. Allows him to turn the cocky douchebag character up to 11 and gives him a legit gripe when he demands a title shot at WrestleMania since he beat the champion and Bryan's like "Sorry. Orton's already got the title shot." Adds heat to that feud. Miz could turn his attention to being jealous of Cena's celebrity status (which is obviously what Miz has always really wanted since before even coming to WWE) and uses eliminating Cena to at least get himself a high-profile WrestleMania match to prove he deserves all the attention. They could sell the match on promos alone. Which would be preferable to the two of them just constantly fighting each other in tag matches which will probably happen.

Cena/Miz would've made more sense if Miz had won the Rumble in chickenshit fashion, I feel.

Eh. Now that I've written it out and thought about it, I like the idea of an organic build for Cena/Miz. I think the title could add more fuel to the Wyatt-Orton match than it could Miz-Cena. If they were to book it like that, Miz-Cena would be set with no title necessary. Meanwhile, the tension built with Wyatt having the title and Orton being #1 contender would be better than just another "tag partners explode!" feud.

Cena and Miz will stem from Miz/D-Bry as Cena will get tired of Miz picking on D-Bry. #BeAStar in full effect.

Promos between Cena/Miz I would expect to be pretty good tbh.

sounds ELECTRIFYING

Cena and Orton are both the kinda guys that can have five-star matches if they're working with the right guys. It would be interesting to see what they can do together, in 2017, with both of their "legendary" statuses, especially since they haven't really had any high-profile singles matches in a few years. Just not really too excited about it possibly headlining Wrestlemania but I guess we'll see how the booking for it goes if that were the case.

Also, he thought Jericho in the cage was fucking amazing. We all died laughing when Jericho and Owens started beating on Roman before the match. I think he took a shine to Jericho and his scarves and effeminate walk to the ring.

He liked how dudes like the Undertaker (who he actually knew) were treated with respect, like they actually had "legend status". Also just in general how ridiculous all of it was.

Cena and Orton are two of the best ever but they've never had any chemistry together in the ring. They were just always put up against each other because for ages they were the two biggest names the company had.

You would think Dave would just reveal Cena's opponent if he claims to know. Hell since he feels like "we" won't like it, he could go back to his statement a couple weeks ago and reveal the match so it gets changed.

Oh but wait, he's full of shit, so he can't do that.

I'm not entirely sure that they're not going to do Cena vs. Orton at this point, with The Wyatt Family adding a "fresh dynamic" to the feud. Orton vs. Wyatt does not feel like a WWE Title match. All signs point to it happening though.

Cena & Nikki vs. Miz & Maryse? Ugh. Cena is so much better than that at this point, but I guess it does keep Nikki out of a Women's Title program. It just kind of sucks that we need to sacrifice Cena to get that.

Think a big reason is they rarely bothered to make Orton feel like Cena's equal whenever those two would feud. Part of it is due to his really poor win percentage against Cena and part due to Cena getting the Hogan or Super Cena treatment which makes it tough to build a real rival.

They wanted Orton-Cena feuds to be their new Rock-Austin mega feud but in reality Edge fit a lot better as Cena's "Rock" rival. Even the feud with Punk came off as being better as a mega type feud than Orton-Cena feuds before it.

According to recent rumors if Cena/Nikki vs Miz/Maryse ends up happening at Mania, it would be due to Nikki pushing for that match and as her retirement from the WWE. Wants to have a match with Cena and retire in a similar way Brie did with Mania as her final event.

Also being rumored WWE has plans to turn Roman Reigns heel after Mania which is why they want Taker-Reigns to happen.

Oh thank God. I think heel Reigns has all the potential in the world

Orton vs Cena could work if they make it less storyline driven and more personal/rivalry driven.

THere's always the "WWE effect" when they wrestle. It's never just Orton vs Cena.

I anticipated Goldberg would be going into Mania with a title of sorts but this is now just confusing.

I don't want to see him lose to Lesnar though it seems that way maybe for good reason: Goldberg will probably leave soon afterwards whereas Lesnar will still be back if somewhat sporadically.

Or perhaps in an "out of character" moment, the two wrestler a longer and decent match, Goldberg gets the better of Lesnar once again, Lesnar reluctantly shakes Goldberg's hand as a way of saying "I had to know for myself" and that draws a line under that feud? Lesnar already had his major WM moment and even another loss to Goldberg wouldn't harm his profile. But if Goldberg did win the title at Fastlane then Orton would be facing Cena for sure?


Cena v Taker would have been the dream match though. If my above scenario played out then I'd want Taker to win the belt, come out on Raw the next night and announce his retirement with him citing there's nothing left to do. Lesnar hurting from his loss to Goldberg comes out and reminds Taker of the one blemish on his record and referring to the fact Mania 34 will be back in NO, he challenges Taker to one last match at WM. Taker accepts after acknowledging he wants to avenge that defeat at WM so he can retire saying he beat all his WM opponents and like we had Rock v Cena at WM 28, we will have this confirmed a year in advance billed as Taker's last ever match.

It's no coincidence Taker was involved with the promo/launch of WM 34 PR a few weeks back given the venue and I suspect this could be on the cards.

Maybe Orton puts his title shot on the line against Taker, Wyatt seething with jealousy comes out and costs him the match. Orton then returns the favour in the EC match and the two feud with each other.

It would be ridiculous yes and in which case they ought to have allowed Taker to win the RR.

I see Reigns and Strowman heading for a collision course too and maybe Reigns and Taker at a later date depending on whether he is still wrestling afterwards.

WWE might be considering the idea of Lesnar and not Goldberg be the one to take the Universal title off of Kevin Owens. Has to do with a recent post-Fastlane card for MSG meant to be a Smackdown brand show but has a special RAW match included.

If that happens, the potential Goldberg-Lesnar Universal title match could have Lesnar as the champ and not Goldberg as previously speculated.

http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/ww...se-show-229406

I like the idea of Lesnar getting the belt. Right now, Goldberg has little reason to continue on with Lesnar. Put a belt on him, and the "one more run" as champ goal for Goldberg all of sudden presents itself, with Lesnar/Heyman using the title as a way to lure Goldberg into one more match.

Lesnar wins, great. He's a dominant champ and the belt becomes special again because he's only showing up for the big fights.

Goldberg wins? Great. He's s dominant champ and the belt becomes special again because he's only showing up for the big fights.

From the newest Wrestling Observer

Going to laugh if this just ends up being one big stunt for Total Divas or Total Bellas instead of being this gen's version of the Macho-Liz WWF proposal and marriage.

So both brands' top titles will be on the line at WM after one month feuds each?

These are rumors, but that just sounds dumb. Plus, if they take the belt off Cena after only a month, then they should have given Styles a third win over Cena to keep the streak alive, have Styles lose the belt in the Chamber after not being pinned, and save Cena beating Styles for a moment that can last longer.

Give Lesnar the belt so that Goldberg has a reason to face him. That seems obvious...

Yeah the Berg/Brock thing does seem backwards. But it's been built for more than a month. Bit of an unfair criticism.

With you on the SDL thing though. Really not into Orton/Wyatt for the belt, or a potential AJ/Shane match. The latter would have made more sense if AJ had retained against Cena, then lost 2 weeks later in the EC, AJ would have a bigger axe to grind with Shane. Although AJ can't lose the belt in the EC "without being pinned", unless he gets injured out of the match.

Update on Ambrose/WrestleMania from Dave Meltzer this morning:

Well fuck.

But the Intercontinental Title is supposed to be the most prestigious its been in years!

With the rumors of them wanting to make New IC and US belts and also Dean wanting a new one they should just unveil the new one at Wrestlemania and have the ladder match for it. Not sure about the US though maybe Jericho or Owens turn it into the Canadian championship and who ever beats them gets a new one.

Dean said he wanted a new one on Smackdown one week, but then on the Royal Rumble pre-show they asked him in the social media lounge about an IC title redesign and what his ideal title would look like, and he answered that he loves his current one and it is the design he grew up with and that it was his ideal belt design already.

Assuming the above is correct, the Universal title will be on the line in a program that has been going on since the early Fall, and the WWE title in a program that started around the same time.

It's funny when people complain about stuff that is just plain wrong.

Ambrose hurts any program or title because he has this I dont give a crap aura about him.

I would look to get the title on Corbin or back to Miz ASAP.

With Seth seemingly out of the picture and the reveal that Foley is having surgery and will have to give up the GM job, I could see this as the opportunity for Kurt Angle to come in as the new Raw GM.

Here's a potential possibility: If the WWE grants clearance for Kurt Angle and Daniel Bryan for one last match, you can have the battle of the GM's at Wrestlemania. And if it can't be one-on-one, you can have Kurt Angle & Triple H (fighting for Steph) vs. Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon.

I, for one, would love to see that as opposed to AJ vs Shane.

Daniel. Bryan. Is. Never. Wrestling. For. WWE. Again.

Amazing to me that people think they would ever clear him.

Even if the WWE wanted to consider the idea, they are never going to do it as long as the class-action lawsuit involving concussions is active. WWE got lucky the general public doesn't care as much about wrestling as they do with NFL or else they'd be dealing with a lot more public pressure.

they've been building to him wrestling the Miz since the brand split. There's no reason to have the Miz mocking him every week if its never going to happen.

Shane/Bryan vs Miz/Styles would work

Sure there is. It gets the Miz heat for picking on a guy who can't defend himself anymore.

Yeah. Bryan is not rassling.

Which is the kind of thinking that will cause the biggest pop ever for when he does

Will he outpop DX?!

Given the way things currently are, I'd have John Cena retain the WWE Championship in the Elimination Chamber. Everybody is expecting him to lose it. Have him beat Wyatt in the final fall and actually retain. AJ Styles, who never got his one-on-one rematch and gets shafted in the EC somehow (or maybe he's just the first entrant and is worn out by the end) says he wants to be in the WWE Title match at WrestleMania. Shane McMahon is reluctant, but Daniel Bryan understands what Styles is going through and places him in the match.

* John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship

This would be a cathartic "End of an Era" match. Cena and Orton represent the WWE since the shift from the Attitude era, and AJ Styles coming in as a man less than two years into his WWE stint but already regarded as the best wrestler in the world makes a great story. The fans want to cheer AJ Styles so much, and this positions him as the change Shane McMahon promised. They finally have a guy that can do it.

As for the Universal Title, I'd actually put it on The Undertaker at Fastlane. Taker isn't looking good, but in the fans' eyes he carries a lot of respectability. He will help wash the mid-card stank off the RAW Title. Something Court Bauer said in his podcast gave me the idea for a really good angle to take on the Taker/Reigns story. Taker is the "conscience of the WWE" and a man who shows up to right the wrongs. Reigns used to fight for justice, but right now has become an injustice. The fans do not feel he is worthy of his spot and Undertaker is here to test him. "Endorsing" Reigns will not work, given that they've already had The Rock do that and it backfired. But Undertaker symbolically acquitting Reigns of being a failure might have some story value.

* The Undertaker (c) vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship

Brock/Goldberg doesn't need the title. They are two men fighting for personal pride. I don't know what you have Goldberg do at Fastlane, but I honestly don't really want him there. Maybe he can squash Handsome Rusev? I dunno. I also don't want Brock beating Goldie. I think the story should be that Brock never truly gets one over him. I like the rock/paper/scissors dynamic between Taker/Goldberg/Brock that they could sort of get going -- Taker always trumps Goldberg; Goldberg always trumps Brock; Brock always trumps Taker. Whatever. I'd keep Goldberg as a special attraction and I don't particularly want to see him lose if that is the case. That being said, I don't really know if beating Brock again is particularly smart. Many will hate this, but a thought I keep entertaining is the idea of SAnitY interrupting the match. It'd be a great way for Eric Young to grab the world's attention. I've long felt that the act should grow on the main roster. I don't know if you back pocket Brock and Goldberg after that or you have them form a super team to face SAnitY in a Handicap Match at the next PPV, but you can certainly play with some intriguing dynamics.

* Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar III

Finally, fuck Triple H, I'd have Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. If Seth is not good to work a long match, have him re-injure the leg in a valiant effort and put Joe over that way. Triple H's promo on RAW was apparently pretty good, but the content implied that he was done creating -- yet here is a Samoa Joe? To me, the story should be that Joe is now Triple H's pet project and there's no reason for The Game to get into the ring while that is the plan. Triple H could gain major political points by sitting out a WrestleMania when he is not needed. He can pop a show later in the year if he really wants to. Seth should sit out and be forced to contemplate retirement at the hands of Joe, only to make his valiant return and to go into a fight against the odds at Mania.

* Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins

As for what Bray Wyatt does? I think the tensions between Wyatt and Harper can be fostered into a successful program, with Harper finally breaking free and fighting his former mentor. I'd like to see this be the IC Title program at WrestleMania. Neither guy seems like a great fit for the title, but given how flat everything else is, I think it would at least be a little extra incentive for Harper to fight Bray.

* Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Luke Harper for the Intercontinental Championship

The more I think about it, the more I like AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon, there's no one better for Shane to face. Don't understand why people wouldn't wanna see it

Not sure it matters, but i'm going to Smackdown on March 7th and the local tv is advertising Cena vs Styles for the main belt and Ambrose vs The Miz for the IC belt.

I'm also feeling The Revival being in that Tag Team Turmoil as the last team in to dethrone Alpha, leading to Hulk Hogan backing them up for a Tag Title rematch at WrestleMania. I'd leave the RAW Tag Team Titles off the card then, unless they can get The Hardy Boyz back to do a TLC and Matt can bump his head and tease a better version of the Broken Matt stuff, since people are dorks enough to eat it up.

I can buy Matt Hardy as an insane veteran who breaks after never achieving the success he wants in professional wrestling. That much is easy. It's just the backyard shit and special effects. I'm fine with Matt Hardy getting eerie piano music as a theme, dying part of his hair grey and acting like a master of all men in the RAW mid-card. Give Matt creative input and lay out some key dates and matches for him (like a bout against his brother at SummerSlam) and win him from TNA. Give him and Jeff a RAW Tag Team Title run (something they have never had) and let them drop the belts to The New Day in that TLC Match or something.

* The Hardys (c) vs. The New Day vs. Gallows & Anderson vs. Sheamus & Cesaro in a TLC Match for the RAW Tag Team Championship

The SmackDown Women's Title can be on the line in a Scramble Match between the six girls that are currently involved in that division. You might as well have Naomi head in champion at this point, because who really gives a fuck, right? I want the final fall to be between Becky and Mickie so that Alexa and Mickie can split off and Becky can move into a feud with Sasha Banks when she jumps over to SmackDown.

* Scramble Match for the SmackDown Women's Championship: Naomi (c) vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Nikki Bella

Neville should defend the Cruiserweight Title against Kota Ibushi, the best cruiserweight in the world today. Really simple build-up, no shenanigans -- simply a great little wrestling match that Dave Meltzer would give seven stars if it happened in the main event of a Japanese show.

* Neville (c) vs. Kota Ibushi for the Cruiserweight Championship

The final match I would include on the main show is Dean Ambrose teaming with Renee Young against The Miz & Maryse in a mixed tag. Renee Young, given how endearing she is, could make a tremendous babyface, and I am sure she is at least somewhat prepared for some sort of physical involvement. The Miz and Maryse are perfect antagonists for her and Dean Ambrose, who can be the aloof loner fighting with the woman that some know he is secretly involved with, but probably doesn't want involved in his physical business (in this sense). Probably the most "heavyweight" thing Dean deserves at this point in time.

* Dean Ambrose & Renee Young vs. The Miz & Maryse

Oh, and then there is that Andre Battle Royal. I still maintain this is where Big Show and Shaq should be. Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman too. Enzo & Cass can do some hype work heading into it. This could be Mark Henry's "retirement match" too. Will they give it to him just because it is his last night with the company? There could be some drama mined in there. A pissed off bald Ziggler from a Hair vs. Mask Match with Kalisto on the pre-show could come out and participate and do quite well. You can have some surprises and some veterans in there too. Given who would currently be scheduled, I'd have it come down between Sami Zayn and Strowman with Strowman winning.

* Andre the Giant Battle Royal; Sceduled Winner: Braun Strowman

Honestly? Because Shane couldn't really wrestle before and is 10 years older. There is nothing he can do that we haven't already seen, and the current best in ring guy in the company deserves a match against a high caliber opponent.

Shane is a 47 year old non-wrestler. I am the exact opposite to you. I don't understand why anyone would want to see it.

But yeah...I guess if he has to wrestle...

Final card:

(edited to include two more "opening portion" matches to get it to five a-piece)

Main Event Portion:

* John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship
* The Undertaker (c) vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship
* Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar III
* Neville (c) vs. Kota Ibushi for the Cruiserweight Championship
* Charlotte (c) vs. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax for the RAW Women's Championship

Middle Portion:

* Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Luke Harper for the Intercontinental Championship
* Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins
* The Hardys (c) vs. Anderson & Gallows vs. Cesaro & Sheamus vs. The New Day in a TLC Match for the RAW Tag Team Championship
* Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Final two are Braun Strowman and Sami Zayn
* Chris Jericho (c) vs. Kevin Owens for the United States Championship

Opening Portion:
* The Miz & Maryse vs. Dean Ambrose & Renee Young
* Dolph Ziggler vs. Kalisto in a Hair vs. Mask Match
* Naomi (c) vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James vs. Natalya vs. Nikki Bella for the SmackDown Women's Championship
* Tyler Bate (c) vs. Jack Gallagher for the WWE UK Championship
* The Revival (c) vs. American Alpha for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship

In between the blocks they can do Network commercials, adds for future PPVs, show folks training in the back, cut to the panel, etc. Basically an intermission. Edge & Christian can do some entertaining during the first break with Enzo & Cass and maybe a heel team like Rusev & Jinder Mahal. The Rock can take over the second segment and segue into the RAW Women's Title match.

Because they shouldn't be looking for someone for Shane to face? He came in last year to make up the numbers on a depleted roster, this year they're going to struggle to get all of the champions on the card. The mentality of "there's no one better for Shane to face" is backwards; they should be looking for the best opponent to showcase AJ.

SETH ROLLINS UPDATE, THE MATCH THAT HAS BEEN PITCHED AS A POTENTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR HHH VS. ROLLINS (POTENTIAL SPOILER)
By Mike Johnson on 2017-02-03 10:16:00

WWE announced on their website that Seth Rollins has been pulled from this weekend's live events as he is not medically cleared to wrestle after injuring his knee again this past Monday. Rollins was in Birmingham, Alabama getting the knee examined.

WWE promised a medical update on Rollins for this Monday's Raw, so they are saving that news for TV.

Should Rollins not be able to work Wrestlemania 33, there will obviously be a change in plans. One pitch that has made the rounds over the last 24 hours is for Triple H to wrestle Shane McMahon at the show. We will see if that ends up being the direction if Rollins' injury requires an extended period of absence from WWE storylines.

:y:

There are pros to AJ Styles facing Shane McMahon. It's a trusted spot. Vince is obviously impressed with the work AJ does if he's going to let him wrestle his son at WrestleMania. And whether or not we like it, Shane is also over. AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon is a more important match than, say, AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose, and that's just a fact of life at the moment.

That being said, I'd actually rather see Triple H vs. Shane McMahon. Let me scrap that, I'd rather Triple H sit off the WrestleMania card entirely, but if we do need him on there, it's a match between two non-wrestling characters with a lot of emotional stakes.

God I hope they go with this. If Triple H and Shane have to be on the card I'd rather they face each other and let AJ Styles do something of actual consequence.

Even if Seth Rollins is healthy, they should still go with Triple H vs. Shane McMahon and Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe.

It would also be a good way to get Seth over to SmackDown, where I think he could have a more interesting and less mired run as a babyface.

Triple H vs Shane as a possible match sounds very interesting solely based on the supposed real life backstage heat between the two ever since Shane returned.

Pretty much would be trading away a better in-ring match with Styles in return for a better story with Triple H for Road to Mania.

I find it crazy that there's heat between the 2. Though I know Shane was never fond of H getting with Steph but jeez y'all are familia. Shouldn't be anything anyone knows about.

If I remember the heat itself is pretty small but mostly regarding the post-Vince plans for the WWE. Triple H has way more heat against those who brought Shane back like Kevin Dunn since those people were planned on getting fired once he officially took over.

I'm actually wondering if the US Title will be on the line in some sort of Ladder Match. It seems "too gimmicky" for the station that Owens and Jericho are at, but Owens loves his spotfests and Jericho is a team player. I could see Jericho vs. Owens vs. Zayn vs. Strowman vs. Sheamus vs. Cesaro with Rusev possibly being in there. It seems random, but given that seeds are being planted for a Sheamus/Cesaro split again (and I doubt they give him time for a proper Mania program) and that Zayn and Strowman kind of get left in the dark when it comes to rumored scheduled Mania plans, a Ladder Match gives them a chance to all get some shine and fight over the RAW mid-card title.

I dunno, it's just a suggestion. I just still think that Jericho vs. Owens is going to be one "personal grudge over a title" too many when it comes to the PPV in terms of tone. I mean, Orton and Wyatt will already likely be doing the split thing.

Also, allegedly The Hardys have not re-upped with TNA yet. I can see them going to the WWE in return for that greater creative control. Or at least with major tentpoles set up -- ie. Matt hitting his head at Mania, coming back as Broken Matt, feuding with Jeff, converting him, going back after the RAW Tag Titles, PPV in Raleigh, etc. Why not accommodate some of Matt's wishes in order to snag him away from TNA and get those giant merch movers back into the company and helping to pump up that mid-card of yours?

The Hardys winning the RAW Tag Titles from Gallows & Anderson (I can see Matt being the sort of guy that would request to work with them) before feuding with The New Day heading into WrestleMania seems like something that would really spice up the card. I originally had them in a TLC Match, but I can see them just wrestling a plain tag and Big E's Spear through the ropes to Matt being what causes him to go ga-ga. Gallows & Anderson can go into the Battle Royal.

I think with how it's been said of Strowman's push, her deserves better than a multi man cluster fuck match for a secondary title.

Really the roster is so seemingly thin there's not a lot of options for him. An inter promotional match was mentioned but who from Smackdown do you put him against?

20 years later and we're still getting Wrestlemania feuds built around the McMahon family for fucks sake.

I actually enjoy watching him and I think its rather interesting how his personality is developing the more he is on camera

Hell, Strowman vs Henry (just start building Henry up now) will get him a 1 on 1 victory at Mania. Of you could even do a Henry and Zayn vs Strowman to make it a more solid win.

Stowman totally has earned a big spot on the card so I really hope his story is big on the show of shows. Also with Nakamura not on the NXT tapings I'm thinking he may be called up, but for what? Well Strowman and Nakamura would probably be awesome.

Strowman vs. Corbin based off of the Rumble.

I agree that would make sense, but I was rewatching the Rumble the other day and after Corbin elimated Strowman, they didn't do a staredown or anything, Braun just left. I do think that would be a good idea but I don't think they alluded to it at all beyond the elimination.

The elim did sort of come out of nowhere so I wouldn't be surprised if nothing comes of it, or if it just leads to a thing (final 2?) in the ATGMBR.

Or he can job to Mark Henry clean at WrestleMania and then immediately start a program for the world title the next night. LOL JK. WWE would never be that dumb...

The key is, Stroman would actually go over in this scenario.

I edited my post to be more subtle.

lol

BRETHART#1!!!!!

I think Corbin winning the IC title off of Ambrose would be good progress after winning the battle royal last year.

We've seen Strowman in the Rumble. I'd rather have him compete in a match with decent stakes. Maybe a number one contenders match for universal title.

But then again who the fuck do you put him against that's a legit title contender and can make him look good in going over?

The thing is, you put him in something long and he is going to get exposed and the heat will be off. By throwing him into an environment like that you can guide him, protect him, make him seem like a big deal and keep those wheels spinning.

Everybody in the match could attack him from the start. He could start tossing them around left and right and then go nuts with a ladder. Eventually numbers effect him and everybody works together to get him through an announce table. Everybody else battles and then eventually Strowman returns in KILLMODE again. There can be some cute power spots with him, but eventually he gets taken out again. But you can ultimately have him win the match or lose without being pinned or submitting. Given that it's the US Title, I wouldn't actually mind a Strowman title reign. Owens and Jericho can feud coming out of WrestleMania without the title on the line, or by having a Triple Threat with him at the next PPV. The things he would pick up just working with these guys. He eventually pins one and keeps the belt, then you have Owens turn on Jericho or whatever you have planned.

Not a realistic card, but putting the pieces together as neatly as I can, I've concluded on this (and this is without The Hardys returning), in reverse match order:

Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles

Universal Championship
The Undertaker (c) vs. Roman Reigns

Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar III

Fatal 4-Way Match for the RAW Women's Championship
Bayley (c) vs. Charlotte vs. Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks

Intercontinental Championship
Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Luke Harper

Mixed Tag Team Match
Dean Ambrose & Renee Young vs. The Miz & Maryse

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Featuring Big Show, Shaq, Baron Corbin, The New Day, Gallows & Anderson, Enzo & Cass, Mark Henry, Kane, Bald Dolph Ziggler, Apollo Crews, the cruiserweights and, hopefully a returning Rey Mysterio

Samoa Joe (w/ Triple H) vs. Seth Rollins

Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (c) vs. Kota Ibushi

Ladder Match for the United States Championship
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Braun Strowman vs. Sami Zayn vs. Sheamus vs. Cesaro vs. Rusev

SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Revival (c) vs. American Alpha (w/ Hulk Hogan)

Kickoff Match: Hair vs. Mask
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kalisto

Kickoff: 10-Woman Tag Team Match
Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, Natalya, Victoria & Molly Holly vs. Becky Lynch, Naomi, Nikki Bella, Carmella & Lita

Kickoff Match for the WWE UK Championship
Tyler Bate (c) vs. Jack Gallagher

Kickoff Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match for the RAW Tag Team Championship
Gallows & Anderson (c) vs. The New Day vs. Enzo & Cass vs. The Golden Truth

LMFAO @ posts #655, 656 and 659. Clearly, The Three Stooges know better than the average man how WWE would react if presented with a situation potentially involving DB wrestling ever again that would make them beaucoup bucks and drive ratings and potentially buyrates way up. :roll:

What buyrates? WWE isn't on PPV anymore. They abandoned that business because they couldn't draw like the UFC or big boxing events. Would ratings really go up? Maybe the spectacle of a guy "coming back from the dead" since Bryan's career was buried, but Bryan isn't exactly Rock or Austin.

If he were cleared, why wouldn't he have been in the Royal Rumble? Why wouldn't you drive up ratings and buyrates by having him win the 2017 Royal Rumble and build to that match with his brother-in-law for WrestleMania's main event? No, of course if Bryan is returning he's going to be wrestling in the mid-card with Miz.

It. Makes. No. Sense.

Bryan's main event look -- the scrappy bearded guy -- has also been traded in for a new clean-cut Bryan appearance. If he were growing out his hand and beard, maybe the average bloke would think "He's getting ready for something." But he's not. He's still presented like civilian Bryan.

Regardless of whether Bryan can or cannot get independent doctors to clear him, if something goes wrong after they reverse themselves, holy shit would the backlash be huge. He also retired due to concussions. We are nowhere near close enough to being able to navigate that volatile subject and clear dudes who weren't previously cleared. It's not like he has a broken bone that can get better. He has had brain injuries that we don't fully understand. For the WWE to say "Hey, we're going to change our stance of this" invites so much negative attention, it might actually hurt business. You're more likely to see wrestlers that have had a history of concussions, like Dolph Ziggler, being asked to step into different roles than Bryan being asked to come back.

Daniel. Bryan. Will. Never. Wrestle. For. The. WWE. Again.

UNLESS they find a way to totally regenerate the brain and completely negate any potential side-effects of concussions. They probably have a better chance of rebuilding Edge's neck.

You MAY get a random segment one day where Bryan is being punked out by a heel and he gets them in a LeBell Lock and a referee rings the bell and they call it a "match." See the way The Rock "wrestled" Erick Rowan at WrestleMania last year. It's possible that The Miz could do that to Bryan at WrestleMania this year as a nugget to people. But do not expect any real work from Bryan. Ever.

I was thinking today -- if Triple H vs. Seth Rollins is the go ahead (and it seems like this is inevitable, sadly) and you need something for Samoa Joe to do -- what are the chances they do that Shawn Michaels match? Once HBK said he'd wrestle Joe if it were anyone, maybe Triple H called him up and said "Hey dude...". There's nothing for Joe past Rollins right now, and that leaves him in the dark for Mania.

Doesn't seem realistic and sounds really random -- but Joe's gotta do something. Probably Battle Royal, right?

More like even WWE are well aware of the fact that a man who developed lesions in his brain shouldn't be wrestling when he has a whole life ahead of him and a child on the way.

As much as I want the match to be Orton vs Wyatt I really want them to stay together longer.

Update in regards to the rumored Cena/Nikki vs Miz/Maryse match at Mania:

I'm digging Orton and Wyatt together. It gives Orton this freshness he just doesn't have on his own. You can babyface them together down the line. I really do think the Triple Threat between Cena, Orton and Styles and a singles match between Bray and Harper is the way to go. If I could change anything about the tentative Mania card, it would be that.

If you do Orton vs. Wyatt and Owens vs. Jericho, you're basically running the same storyline twice. Something about it just seems odd. Save the blow-off between Orton and Wyatt for a later date.

Normally prefer singles matches for big belts at Mania, but I'd take it given the potential alternative.

Who goes over in Harper vs Wyatt? Would be a good way to really propel Harper, but Wyatt rarely wins bigger matches.

I'd like it to be straight on-one-on for the big belt too, but of all the possible scenarios, it seems like the "biggest" and best thing they can put forward.

Wyatt/Harper is a tough one, and I've gone back and forth as to who I'd prefer to win. I feel like Harper would need to go over if fans are going to believe in him as a babyface. I also have this general belief that if you turn a performer and put them against an old ally, then the person who has turned should go over, in order to justify the change of disposition. That's not hard and set, but in most circumstances it would make the most sense.

The nagging problem is Bray Wyatt's win-loss record at Mania. I'd put that in the back of my head for a little while, simply because if you book to that record, you miss opportunities to make certain talent. Wyatt is heading into that match on higher ground. Jeff Hardy NEVER won at a WrestleMania. It's more important that Wyatt respond to the loss than he just never suffer it in the first place.

You could have Erick Rowan saunter out and segue into Harper vs. Rowan, but there's no guarantee that will be a good program, and it's downgrading Harper and just spinning your wheels with Bray. I do think the payoff to the story with Harper hitting Sister Abigail on Bray. Just go with that, then have Bray blame Randy for the failure of The Family lately. Orton goes after the IC Title, he also puts over Harper (go strong with him) and then Bray is furious and Orton RKO's Wyatt and they move into their regularly scheduled program.