WWE Fans Say Goodbye to the Undertaker's Streak

photo courtesy: wwe.com

WWE fans had grown comfortable.  It's a complacency that's written in our very souls, the reason why we return so often to the same memes, archetypes and basic tropes.

There's comfort in the familiar.  And, for WWE fans, nothing was more familiar than the Undertaker's customary classic match at WrestleMania.

On any other night of the year, wrestling fans are trained to expect the unexpected. Like the NFL on Sunday, anyone can win on a given night. The only limits reside in the minds of the creative teams behind the madness.

But those rules didn't apply to the Undertaker. At least not at WrestleMania. He stepped into the ring at the WWE's annual spring extravaganza for the first time in 1991, besting Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka at WrestleMania 7. Twenty more wins followed, a streak unlike anything else ever seen in professional wrestling.

Hulk Hogan only managed three wins in a row before fighting Andre the Giant to a draw at WrestleMania 4. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin once managed a four-win streak before the Rock put his shoulders on the mat."Mr. WrestleMania" Shawn Michaels finished his Hall of Fame career with a record of just 6-11 on the grandest stage of them all.

No one has ever come close to doing what Undertaker did. It's likely no one ever will.

And that's why the faces in the crowd looked so glum when Brock Lesnar, the former Ultimate Fighting champion and part-time wrestler, pinned the Undertaker in a decidedly anti-climactic fashion after a decidedly lackluster match.

The WWE and the Undertaker had built a legend over 22 years in a grueling business. The amalgamation of luck, will and savvy allowed them to tell a very special story year after year. They entered a partnership with the audience. The tension was nonexistent—the expectations all too real.

The Undertaker, we were trained to understand, would win his match. How or why, those were the variables that made it interesting. The result, however, was never in question. Until, suddenly, the social compact between artist and audience was broken in brutal fashion.

75,000+ stunned...shocked...has the mat world imploded? The Streak dies....but the legend will live forever. #WrestleMania
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) April 7, 2014

Cue, then, the tears.

Grown men lost it after the match as Lesnar winked at the camera and manager Paul Heyman gloated in delightfully vile style. As the camera panned, the crowd's stunned silence took life in the anonymous pained expressions on the faces of average wrestling fans.

The streak was over. That was a fact. But stories, according to documentarian Ken Burns, are bigger than mere facts.

"What happens is fact, not truth," Burns once said. "Truth is what we think about what happens.”

The truth about the end of the streak? About 21-1?

According to wrestling fans, it was an unspeakable violation of trust. The outcry could be heard in the arena. It was louder still on Twitter. Conspiracies blossomed. The truth was harder to hear.

photo courtesy: wwe.com

The Undertaker is 49 years old. The yearly tradition wrestling fans looked so forward to every year at WrestleMania was costing him dearly physically. The price for this match, for example, was a severe concussion. At this point it's essentially the only match he can manage to work a year. The Undertaker is tired. The Undertaker was ready. And the Undertaker wanted Brock Lesnar, because he had the legitimacy and gravitas to pull it off.

It was Lesnar's hand being raised that was particularly galling for some wrestling fans. He works on a handful of dates. When he left for UFC, he said horrible things about the business we all love. He doesn't feel like one of us.

Some fans wanted to see the streak ended by a promising young star, someone like Roman Reigns or even the babyface dujour Daniel Bryan. But neither could have shouldered the task.



There would be blowback on whoever eventually ended the streak. Like it or not, subconsciously or not, fans would punish whoever ended our yearly comfort food. There's pressure there for most—perhaps more than a mere mortal could handle.

The end needed a man like Lesnar, someone who doesn't need or want the crowd's love. Lesnar, in some ways, stands alone. He is of wrestling, but he is not wrestling. He's just Brock Lesnar, a superhuman beast of a man, one of the scariest human beings on the planet.

The streak wasn't meant to be stopped short by a conventional wrestler. It demanded something more, someone who, like the Undertaker, transcends the sport itself. It needed a man like Brock Lesnar.

Last week, the Undertaker's manager Heyman told me the streak wasn't long for this world. I didn't believe him. When word spread backstage before the show, however, others won't be so skeptical. Sportsbooks took a hit as the smart money came in for Lesnar, a huge underdog.

Like most of you, I wasn't ready for the streak to end. While Heyman made a powerful case that all great things in sports must end, the WWE was in a unique position to allow an old favorite to continue undefeated through both injury and the ravages of time.

It's too early to decide whether ending the streak was the right move or a colossal disaster. That's a tale that will be written in the months to come. But one thing is certain—WWE fans can never again safely assume they know how the story is going to end.

source: bleacherreport.com

Paul Heyman Talks The Undertaker, WrestleMania and the Greatest Streak in Sports

photo courtesy: wwe.com

Dust coats most of the sports records that have stood the test of time. It's that durability, in fact, that sustains them, gives them meaning and life beyond their own era.

Think Joe DiMaggio's famed 56-game hitting streak, a feat now more than 70 years old.

Think Wilt Chamberlain, whose 100 points in a single game is even more legendary now than it was in 1962.

Think The Undertaker, 21-0 on the Grandest Stage of Them All: WrestleMania. In its own way that's a streak worthy of a special place in history because of, not in spite of, wrestling's status as pseudo-sport. In many ways that makes it even more impressive, not less.

Contemporary professional wrestling, after all, is a strange place to look for that kind of groundbreaking accomplishment. For permanence of any kind, at that. Since Vince McMahon's WWE made cable television the centerpiece of his empire, wrestling has become the least substantial of all sports, with championships and titles changing in the blink of eye, slave to the ratings gods.

In the 1960s and '70s, Bruno Sammartino held the World Championship for seven years, eight months and one day. On almost every one of those days (2,803 of them for those keeping count), he pulled on his trunks, his wrestling boots and went to work. Only when he decided enough was enough, that he needed a break, did anyone even consider replacing him as champion.

It was a decision not taken lightly.

Fast forward to 2009, where the belt changed hands nine times in a single calendar year. No one reign lasted more than Randy Orton's 90 days. Nothing much matters in contemporary wrestling's blink-and-you-missed-it culture.

Except The Undertaker. Except WrestleMania. In a world full of the fleeting, some things still stand the test of time.

In the Beginning

Before there was a WrestleMania streak, before there was an Undertaker even, there was "Mean" Mark Callous. Managed by Paul Heyman, who will be in his opponent Brock Lesnar's corner at WrestleMania 30 this Saturday in New Orleans, Callous was physically imposing, amazingly gifted and somehow, despite that, going nowhere fast.

In 1990, after losing clean to Lex Luger for the United States Heavyweight title, Callous was given his release.

"What happened in WCW is the same thing that happened there with a variety of talent," Heyman told Bleacher Report. "WCW was far too concerned with existing star power and investing in those that already had equity in their names. They had no vision of brand or talent development.

"The key to WWE's success and longevity is that they are, as modern and as relevant as the company may be in modern social media and platforms and contemporary distribution, the company is still built around old-school promotion. Who are these two fighters? Why are they wrestling? And why should I pay to see it? In order to answer those three questions you have to build up the talent. And you can't just build up talent that has equity in their names. You have to make new stars. And that's the mantra that has always worked best in any period that you could call the glory days."

What happened next was fairly amazing. Befriended by Hulk Hogan on the set of the movie Suburban Commando, the former "Mean Mark" soon found himself in a meeting with one Vince McMahon. Soon thereafter, a new character emerged on WWE television.

Straight out of a dime-store western with his extra-wide Stetson hat, gray striped tie and oversized trench coat, the original Undertaker appeared less an undertaker and more a walking corpse. Impervious to pain, pasty and supernatural in origin, the character was immediately an anachronism. Hogan's brand of cartoon wrestling was already beginning to fade. Reality television was fast approaching. The Undertaker shouldn't have succeeded. Somehow, perhaps through power of will alone, it did.

"I don't think it was as much the character as it was the man behind the character," Heyman said. "I think The Undertaker is, much like Brock Lesnar, a once-in-a-lifetime wrestler, a once-in-a-lifetime athlete and a once-in-a-lifetime performer. You can't just put somebody in that slot. You need someone who can own up to the role and someone who makes the role theirs, who walks in the skin of the character. When that gels, when the athlete and the performer come together, then you have someone who is truly box office. This is not something that someone else could have accomplished. You couldn't have given that name and that character to anybody else—they would have never survived."

The Streak

It started with a whimper at WrestleMania VII. Aging superstar Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka wasn't capable at that point of a good match, let alone a great one. The match's one great high spot, a crossbody Undertaker was supposed to catch and turn into his now-iconic Tombstone, was botched. History, it turns out, is not always pretty.

There were good times and bad on the way to winning 21 consecutive matches. His match with Giant Gonzalez, for example, was one of the worst in WrestleMania history. A match with Diesel, in turn, was surprisingly competent, a well-told story that moved at a crisp pace. But nothing about any of it felt special.

By WrestleMania 13, however, the WWE had an inkling of what it had. For the first time announcer Jim Ross mentioned the streak, noting that the Deadman had never lost at WrestleMania. Four years later, at WrestleMania 17, his yearly match had become more than midcard fodder.

Ever since he pinned Triple H's shoulders to the mat with the Last Ride, the match has been a showcase of sorts. No matter where he was on the card or what was going on in the promotion, one thing was a given: The Undertaker's match at WrestleMania was going to be something special.

The Undertaker has beaten legends, men like Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair, and he's made them, giving the rub to rising stars like Randy Orton, Edge and Batista. Each, arguably, stole the show. Now it's Brock Lesnar's turn to make history. The former UFC and WWE champion has done everything you can do in the combat sports arena.

Everything except face The Undertaker at WrestleMania.

"I think it's more than special," Heyman said. "I'm very blessed. I get the best seat in the house for the match that has the most historical significance and the longest-ranging ramifications in terms of what happens after the match is over. This is Brock Lesnar's chance to truly step into immortality. From my perspective it's a match that Brock Lesnar doesn't have to win but that The Undertaker must not lose."

The End?

In some ways the streak itself has made putting together an epic match worthy of it next to impossible. Pro wrestling is built on drama. And, honestly, how much drama can there be when one man is all but guaranteed to win?

That has all changed this year. Approaching his 50th birthday, The Undertaker is all but done physically. He's been absent the entire year, wrestling just a single time since last year's WrestleMania win over CM Punk. His body may not be capable of delivering what this single match has to deliver, even just once a year.

It may be time for a change. And, while most fans seem to want him to ride off into the sunset, undefeated streak intact, Heyman argues that sports doesn't work that way.

"The New York Yankees won five straight World Series. The Chicago Bulls three-peated in the NBA Finals. Those are phenomenal feats that can never be taken away from those teams," he said. "Why would anybody think that because Brock Lesnar conquered the streak it takes away from the historical significance that was 21-0 for The Undertaker?

"When Brock Lesnar defeats The Undertaker at WrestleMania, it will not trivialize nor negate or minimize the magnitude of the accomplishment that is 21 victories. Brock Lesnar will never amass 21 victories at WrestleMania. He'll be too old. John Cena is never going to get to 21 in a row. They named the Battle Royal after Andre the Giant. He couldn't get three in a row.

"So I cannot agree with the assessment that anything must go on in perpetuity. And The Undertaker's   undefeated streak, if it's stopped at 21, does not take away from the enormity of those 21 consecutive victories."

It's a compelling case, but one I'm not sure I can buy. The streak is bigger than Lesnar and bigger than The Undertaker himself. Yes, DiMaggio eventually failed to get a hit, bringing his hallowed hit streak to an end. But, in wrestling, someone writes the stories. There's no need to be limited by the confines of reality. The Undertaker can go out a winner.

I hope he does.

source: bleacherreport.com

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Another Top Star to Return to WWE for WrestleMania XXX

photo courtesy: article.wn.com

It seems unlikely that the WWE would be talking about bringing people back for WrestleMania XXX at this late stage, but that is exactly what is happening.

After the likes of Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker have already signed on to return for the show, there is one more talent lined up to put an appearance in.

According to Mike Johnson at PWInsider, "Rob Van Dam will be returning to WWE Wrestlemania weekend, PWInsider.com has confirmed. WWE has booked travel for RVD and he will be with the company that weekend, so his return to television is imminent."



It seems bizarre that RVD will be back with the company—especially at WrestleMania XXX—without any real prior appearances in the buildup to the show.

Indeed, it will be interesting to see just what the WWE do with Rob Van Dam. Perhaps they will have him interfering in a match to start a rivalry that will continue on from the show, but there is one other huge possibility as to what could happen.



As of March 27, there are still four spots open in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. A battle royal would be absolutely perfect for Van Dam at WrestleMania XXX—it would suit his ring ability perfectly.

There are going to be at least a couple of surprise entrants taking part in the match. After all, it is WrestleMania. Having all the competitors already announced would be a bit of a waste—there has to be a surprise.

And, perhaps Rob Van Dam is that surprise. He would draw a huge reaction from the crowd, that is certain.



It would also give RVD the opportunity to extend a remarkably unheralded streak. While The Undertaker's streak is infamous for its longevity, Rob Van Dam is not doing particularly bad either.

He is 4-0 at WrestleMania events, and it looks like he will be getting the opportunity to make it five without defeat. Doing so in a battle royal of this magnitude would be an incredible way to extend his streak.

source: bleacherreport.com

Cody Rhodes and Goldust Are Being Wasted in Battle Royal at WrestleMania 30

photo courtesy: wrestlingrambles.com

On the March 10 edition of Raw, Hulk Hogan announced an Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal for WrestleMania 30. The Battle Royal will feature 30 Superstars vying for the coveted Andre the Giant trophy.

The match participants will include the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, Big Show, Mark Henry and others. Interestingly enough, all of these individuals were contending for world championships last year and now find themselves in a randomly thrown-together Battle Royal.

No disrespect to Andre the Giant, but it is the obligatory "get everyone on the card" match that we seem to get every year at WrestleMania in some form or fashion. While its dedication to the memory of Andre makes it feel somewhat special, odds are that many of the combatants won't last very long in the contest and will be ultimately overshadowed.

This also rings very true for Cody Rhodes and Goldust, who have since been entered into the matchup as of the March 21 SmackDown. Unlike many of the other Superstars involved, the Rhodes brothers were easily one of the best things going only a few short months ago.

Hardly anyone expected the firing of Cody Rhodes to be as big as it ended up becoming, as it soon involved all of The Authority as well as the rest of the Rhodes family. It culminated in a blockbuster tag team match at WWE Battleground in which Cody and Goldust paired up for the first time ever to defeat The Shield and earn their jobs back.

Needless to say, that match stole the show and was among the top 10 matches of 2013. The Rhodes brothers became a mainstay in the tag team division from that point forward, winning the WWE Tag Team Championships from Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns eight days later.

They went on to reign as Tag Team champions for over three months, giving stellar performances at the Hell in a Cell, Survivor Series and TLC pay-per-view events. They defended their straps against all comers and were one of the hottest acts in all of wrestling during that period of time.

When it came time for them to drop the belts to the New Age Outlaws at the Royal Rumble, many saw this as the opportunity for them to split up and begin feuding with one another going into WrestleMania 30. It's been a match fans have been begging for since 2011, and there was no better time for it to happen than at the 30th anniversary of The Show of Shows.

However, after failing to regain the gold in early February, Cody and Goldust were essentially an afterthought. There were no hints of dissension in the ranks, and they were no longer regulars on Raw in the weeks that followed.

In simple terms, WWE missed the perfect opportunity to put on a match with meaning attached to it at WrestleMania. Although Goldust has gone on record in the last month saying that he has zero desire to face his brother at the event, it's still a highly anticipated match that would have served as a perfect addition to the card.

Those that have stated they would rather see the match take place next year at WrestleMania 31 may not realize that is out of the question, since Goldust's current contract is rumored to expire in August, per F4WOnline.com (h/t Prowrestling.com). The Bizarre One has also made it clear in the past that he wouldn't want to face Cody anywhere else but on The Grandest Stage of Them All, not even at SummerSlam.

Thus, the ship has sailed on that match ever happening now that they have both been placed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. One would think that WWE would have something much more meaningful in mind for the tandem after their months of hard work and excellent matches, but apparently not.

If they weren't going to face off against each other at 'Mania, the least WWE could have done was put them in the WWE Tag Team Championship match. While it has yet to be confirmed, the bout will probably pit current champions The Usos against The Real Americans and the duo of Ryback and Curtis Axel in a Triple Threat tag team match.

Ryback and Axel were also originally announced for the Battle Royal before being pulled to compete in the Tag Team title match, so it's still possible that the same can be done for the Rhodes brothers. After all, they own two victories over The Real Americans, who defeated The Usos on the March 17 Raw.

Given all that they have done to help boost the credibility of the tag team division in the last six months, one can only hope that Cody and Goldust will be added to the matchup. If not, then they will just be two of 30 people crammed in a ring, not receiving the attention or spotlight they rightfully deserve.

What a shame.

source: bleacherreport.com

Why Chris Jericho Should Be Booked at WrestleMania 30

photo courtesy: whatculture.com

Chris Jericho is one of the most legendary Superstars in WWE history.  His career boasts a litany of titles and accomplishments, including his run as the first undisputed WWE champion.  Jericho is considered by many fans to be among the best ring performers of all time not only in WWE but in the industry itself.

However WrestleMania is coming up on April 6, and while the company is currently putting the pieces into place for that night, as of this writing, Y2J is not booked.  And the fact is that he should be.

WWE has seen its fair share of returns in recent weeks, including Batista, Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker.  All three men have done their part to entertain the fans, and all three men have prime spots on the WrestleMania 30 card.

The most recent Superstar to make a comeback has of course been The Deadman himself.

Undertaker returned on the February 24 edition of Monday Night Raw, signaling what could be considered the true beginning of the road to WrestleMania.  Taker interrupted Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar, who had just rejected an open contract to perform at Mania.



Heyman believed Brock deserved a shot at the WWE World Championship, and he believed that shot should come at WrestleMania.  The Undertaker disagreed with that notion, and now fans are in for what will surely be a very intense, very physical showdown at the showcase of the immortals.

Batista is heading for the main event at Mania, in a match that has been criticized by many WWE fans for just not being the bout they want.

The Animal will be facing Randy Orton for the WWE World title, and it could perhaps be the biggest welcome back gift that any returning Superstar has had in quite some time.  But despite any hate this match has received from fans, barring any unknown changes, it's happening.

That's three Superstars, three big names that are back for the company's most important pay-per-view of the year.  And if the company can make room for them, why not make room for one more?  The truth is it now has the room.

And that room comes from the absence of CM Punk.

Punk's recent departure was very surprising and very disappointing for many of the WWE faithful.  The Best in the World had been such a fixture in the company for so long.  For him to just leave with no warning was a blow for many who wanted to see him at WrestleMania.

But the hole that he leaves on the card could be and should be filled by Chris Jericho.  While it will presumably be Daniel Bryan versus Triple H, there is no need to insert Jericho directly into that match or in any angle that opposes The Authority.  That may have been Punk's spot, but it does not necessarily have to be Jericho's.

WWE may feel it's too late to bring Chris back now to work up an angle for WrestleMania.  But considering that Undertaker just came back and will spend the next several weeks building his match against Brock Lesnar, plenty of time could exist for Jericho to do the same. But whom would he face at Mania?

While many different WWE Superstars could be named as opponents for Jericho, only one name may benefit more than any other in terms of career-defining moments: Cesaro.

Cesaro has been catching fire as of late.  His recent matches against both Randy Orton and John Cena, as well as his performance in the Elimination Chamber, have many fans talking about the Swiss Superstar as WWE's next big thing.

Cesaro is cut from the same cloth as Punk due to his ability to put on a very technically sound yet very physically tough match.  Cesaro is also becoming a real workhorse in the company, and he proves that every time he steps into the ring.  What better way to give him some serious spotlight while also helping him build his potential main event career than with a WrestleMania moment against one of the company's best of all time?

While some may argue that Chris Jericho should not return to simply losing again, he is no longer a full-time WWE Superstar.  Jericho has moved on from that.  At this point, he can be used as a veteran opponent for guys like Cesaro who are clearly headed for bigger and better things.

Facing Fandango at WrestleMania 29 was likely meant to be just that kind of match for Jericho.  But for whatever reason, it has not played out that way.  Fandango is in no better spot now than he was then.

But the same does not have to hold true for Cesaro, whose WWE career has gone further than Fandango's had when he faced Jericho at Mania.  A match between Y2J and Cesaro could go down as one of the best on the WrestleMania 30 card and could do more for Cesaro than anyone even realizes.

Regardless of the plan, Chris Jericho is one WWE legend who deserves a spot on the grandest stage of them all.  It's not too late for Y2J to make an impact at WrestleMania 30.

source: bleacherreport.com

WWE WrestleMania 30 Latest Buzz, Speculation Around Massive PPV

photo courtesy: wwewrestlemania30.blogspot.in

The night after Elimination Chamber, the WWE WrestleMania XXX card went from cloudy to clear, but there is still plenty to buzz about regarding what is still unanswered.

A major rumored storyline has reportedly been dropped, WWE's champions are possibly in line to face multiple opponents and there is speculation that an icon may not be headed for the marquee event.

After having mostly whispers and guesses to go on, fans now know a number of things for certain about WrestleMania. For one, Hulk Hogan is hosting the pay-per-view.

Early morning in NYC headed to train chest and back brother,as the Host Of WRESTLEMANIA 30 I gotta be ready for anything,BROTHER!!!! HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) February 26, 2014

Undertaker returned on Monday's Raw and accepted Brock Lesnar's challenge, first stabbing him with a pen and then chokeslamming him through a table. That sets up the annual attempt to end Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania.

Daniel Bryan challenged Triple H to a match at that show as well.

"Triple H, give these people what THEY want at @WrestleMania! ... Triple H vs. Daniel Bryan at @WrestleMania 30!" - @WWEDanielBryan #RAW
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 25, 2014

Although he was yet to accept, there's a strong indication that's Bryan's story veers away from title pursuits and focuses on revenge instead.

John Cena and Bray Wyatt collided once again, this time "The Eater of Worlds" forcing Cena to leave the arena on a stretcher. Although neither match is official, it appears we can count on seeing Cena vs. Wyatt.

Whether Sting will join WWE and have some role at WrestleMania is far less clear.

Sting Update
The possibility of Sting facing The Undertaker is gone now, Lesnar taking up that challenge instead.

A recent schedule change has some folks less certain that Sting will sign with WWE, at least before WrestleMania. As WrestlingInc.com points out, Sting is set to appear for Revolution Pro Wrestling on March 14 and 15.

Two weeks Saturday! Huge!! @RevProUK pic.twitter.com/1tQND8hlJE
— Chris Roberts (@HotBoxRoberts) February 26, 2014

While that's still weeks away from WrestleMania, it has sparked a discussion of why Sting signed on for those appearances after Ric Flair pulled out of those events.

If he were set to join WWE and hop into the WrestleMania picture, he'd more likely be working WWE events during that time.

TNA did confirm that "The Icon" is no longer with the company. When a fan asked whether or not Sting would be at the TNA Lockdown event on March 9, TNA responded, (h/t WrestleZone.com), with the following:

"Sting is not scheduled to appear at Lockdown 2014 PPV or Fan InterAction, unfortunately Sting is no longer with the company so therefore we have no booked appearances for him at any events in the future, Sorry about that."

That makes official what fans knew for some time. What's his next step, though?

With as much as the potential Sting to WWE deal is lagging, it's looking far more likely that he debuts on the night after WrestleMania, a night traditionally home to major surprises, i.e. Lesnar's return in 2012.

The Authority Storyline Shrinking Down
Last year, when Vince McMahon and Triple H squabbled in public over issues of power, it appeared that this would eventually lead to a climactic collision at WrestleMania. One possible scenario, per Wrestling Observer, via Camel Clutch, was for Steve Austin to represent McMahon and face Triple H.

That was a long shot thanks to Austin being no guarantee to return, but now it looks as if McMahon won't be a part of a WrestleMania storyline at all.

Wrestling Observer, via WrestleZone.com, reports, "the big story line plan of having Vince McMahon return to WWE TV to begin a power struggle with Stephanie and HHH for control of WWE, has been scrapped."

The focus instead has seemed to be on Triple H's issues with Bryan.

Although it will irk fans hoping to see Bryan in the WWE title match, this move will lead to a momentous match as this narrative has been building since SummerSlam. The bearded one is seemingly set to get some payback without the clutter of too many authority figures.

Championship Possibilities
Randy Orton's challenger has been set since Batista won the 2014 Royal Rumble. AJ Lee and The New Age Outlaws have their share of enemies, but no clear contenders.

WWE's reported plan is to have those champs face more than one foe at once. According to Wrestling Observer, via WrestleZone.com, "there have been talks of holding both a multi-Divas championship match at the PPV, as well as a multi-tag team Tag Title Match."

With Naomi injured, the most logical step for AJ would seem to be to have her and Tamina Snuka complete the Shawn Michaels and Diesel comparisons and turn on each other.

The fact that the company is leaning toward multiple opponents suggest that the Total Divas cast will be included at WrestleMania rather than Tamina. It would make for great material to add to the reality show.

Other than Natalya, none of those women would make for an opponent capable of a WrestleMania-worthy match. Perhaps, then, the plan is to have the chaos of a Triple Threat make up for the lack of match quality.

That's great news for fans of The Bella Twins, Eva Marie and Cameron.

The New Age Outlaws aren't guaranteed to hold onto their titles until WrestleMania, but should they do so, a crowded ring awaits them. WWE went to the multiple-team match often in 2013 including a three-squad tilt at Hell in a Cell and a Fatal 4-Way match at TLC.

It should prove to be an exciting offering if this comes to pass at WrestleMania as well and allows WWE to plug in a number of teams into a single match.

Don't count on those matches being announced right away, though. WWE has a lot more marquee matches to concentrate on first.

source: bleacherreport.com

Sting Wants to Face the Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX

photo courtesy: bleacherreport.com

It seems that die-hard Sting fans might not be the only ones eager to see The Undertaker vs. Sting at WrestleMania XXX.

Per a recent report, the former WCW champion himself has also been pushing hard it for it, although whether WWEmanagement will acquiesce to his request is another matter entirely.

As Dave Meltzer notes in this week's (subscribers-only) Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

"Sting, while the deal had not been signed as of a few days ago, it’s more the WWE side dragging its feet. As noted, Sting is not the priority in the company the way some of the other big-name deals have been... Sting himself was hoping to get a match with Undertaker at this year’s Mania, so I guess he bought into the Internet hype for himself since the company and Undertaker himself have had the Lesnar plan dating back to 2010. The one thing from the Sting standpoint is that since he lives in the Dallas area, he was willing to go with Undertaker and work out the match in private at Undertaker’s gym, over and over, to get it right, which is what Undertaker’s opponents the last several years have done."

It's easy to see why Sting would be so keen to work a bout with The Undertaker in New Orleans. Aside from the money and prestige, it would also be a chance to end his famous career on the highest note possible.

While Sting didn't exactly squander his legacy in the seven years he spent with TNA, he didn't add a whole lot to it, either. (Truthfully, that was more the booking team's fault than his.)

But main-eventing one of the biggest shows in wrestling history—and anything The Undertaker does at WrestleMania will likely be the real main event whether it's the last match or not—would certainly give him the spotlight and the amazing send-off he truly deserves.

The match itself probably wouldn't be bad, either. Sting showed inTNA he can still, on occasion, go in the ring, and The Undertaker always delivers at WrestleMania.

Sadly, for Sting fans, it doesn't seem likeWWE is exactly clamoring to get the guy under an official contract, never mind handing him one of the biggest wrestling matches of the year.

Rightly or wrongly, management likely feels that the 54-year-old has little to offer wrestling in 2014 outside of nostalgia and perhaps a special DVD box set.

source: bleacherreport.com

The Shield Headed for a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania?

photo courtesy: wwe.com

After almost 18 months as one of wrestling’s most dominant heel stables, it looks like The Shield is heading for a nasty break up.

WWE bookers have been hinting at it for a while.

Roman Reigns is flourishing as a singles star—he’s picked up several victories and even made it to the final two in the Royal Rumble match a few weeks ago. There have also been hints that Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins are fast growing jealous of their friend’s success.

For his part, Reigns seems to be getting fed up with Ambrose’s egotistical and overbearing behavior.

But just when will this heavily hyped—and seemingly inevitable—break up occur?

Well, per Bryan Alvarez in this week’s (subscribers-only) F4W Newsletter, fans could see the three face off at the WrestleMania XXX event on April 6. Although, per Alvarez, this apparently hinges on whether Daniel Bryan gets added to the currently scheduled Randy Orton vs. Batista clash:

photo courtesy: wwe.com

"There is talk of Shield doing a triple threat against each other at Mania, but that's only if they don't add Bryan to the main event. They don't want two triple threat matches on the same show. So realistically, whether or not Bryan gets put into that match could determine when and where Shield breaks up."

Personally, I’m not sold on the idea of a triple threat between Ambrose, Reigns and Rollins in New Orleans. Or on having the trio split so soon.

At such a major event, the triple threat will come off as an afterthought, no matter how good it is.

With Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker and Triple H all (presumably) playing major roles, is anyone going to be talking about The Shield when the show is over?

Really, WWE should put off the break up for a couple of months—possibly until May or June—so that when these guys do go their separate ways, it gets the attention from the bookers and fans that it should.

source: bleacherreport.com

Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust Should Not Happen at WrestleMania 30

photo courtesy: wwe.com

Cody Rhodes and Goldust have been riding high as WWE's most successful tag team since last year. The sons of Dusty Rhodes came together following Cody's firing by Triple H and subsequent attacks on their family from The Authority.

But now that they have lost the WWE tag-team championships, the future of The Brotherhood is uncertain. Some fans are already fully expecting the brothers to part ways and then face off at the company's biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 30.  But that is not what should happen.

It may not be the popular opinion, but the truth is that wrestling each other basically has no point, no reason to happen in the first place.  The reunion of Cody and Dustin Rhodes was a moment that fans loved, a moment that directly translated to their new tag team and to their eventual run as WWE tag-team champions.

The Brotherhood worked every tag team in WWE.  From The Real Americans to The Wyatt Family to The Shield, the Rhodes brothers took on every challenge and did so in one top-notch tag match after another. In fact, they led what could be considered a new tag-team renaissance; a new era for high-paced and action-packed tag matches that could main event any card.

Cody and Dustin became part of the workhorse breed of WWE.  Along with CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and The Shield, the Rhodes brothers were part of the backbone of so many events, as they consistently delivered one 5-star performance after another.

And the fans immediately responded to them.  Cody was seen as a Superstar that was finally being given his opportunity to shine in WWE.  Following a split with Damien Sandow that saw the youngest Rhodes son turn babyface, the timing seemed right for Cody to begin advancing up the ladder in the company.

However, that advancement did not come until he and older brother Dustin formed their tag team and began working main-event-caliber matches.  Now Cody Rhodes is seen in a new light as a man that has finally found a nice niche for success in WWE.

Goldust is a Superstar that has seemingly found the fountain of youth.  The 26-year veteran, in fact, looks like a 26-year-old again, as he has more than carried his share of the load in The Brotherhood.

His ring work is on par with any other Superstar he and his brother have faced, and for fans this is more than just a nostalgia act.  Goldust is the real deal and has far surpassed any expectations from the WWE faithful that perhaps were already anticipating big things from him.

The brother dynamic of the tag team has done nothing but work in their favor as well. Their alliance is a great way to pay homage to their father without anyone on WWE programming even mentioning the link to The American Dream all that often.  The Brotherhood works in large part because of the history that is there for both men individually and the history that exists between them as the sons of Dusty Rhodes.

The Rhodes brothers are a great example of what happens when hard work and a desire to deliver the best meets the absolute perfect circumstances.  They are the right tag team at the right time.



But despite all their success and despite all the ground they've covered, it's all just background noise for some WWE fans.  For them, this pairing has existed from the very beginning for the express purpose of one brother turning on the other for a WrestleMania showdown.

While this sounds like a very intriguing idea and both men would undoubtedly put on a good match, the issue of whether or not it's even necessary is still up for debate.  After all, the brothers have been a unit since October of 2013 and have shown no real outward signs of any stress or tension.

This is also true of their recent loss to The New Age Outlaws at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.  Their three-month title reign was dashed in one night, thanks to a team that last won the tag titles 14 years ago.  And what happened after that loss?  Did one vent his frustrations on the other?  Did they come to blows, furious over having lost the belts to Triple H's old Degeneration-X running buddies?

The answer is no.  None of that happened. The fact is that the next night on Raw saw The Brotherhood get their rematch with the Outlaws in a bout that could have gone either way. From a storyline perspective, Cody and Goldust could have won the championships had it not been for Brock Lesnar's interference.

Did that interference lead to The Brotherhood's meltdown on Monday?  No it did not.

The truth is that anything can happen.  There is plenty of time before WrestleMania goes down in April, and in that time, an angle can be worked up that would see either Goldust or Cody decide he's had enough and crave the singles spotlight once again.

Both Cody and Goldust are very good at what they do; they can provide a memorable match at 'Mania.

But at this point, there seems to be no point in it.  It seems to be a popular idea merely because of the novelty of it, but for fans that desire a plausible back-story, it perhaps falls a bit short.  The Shield could not break them.  The Authority could not break them.  They withstood every challenge placed in front of them and did not waver.

Why would they now fall apart with just one loss to a team handpicked by the company's heel authority figure?

Cody Rhodes versus Goldust may be the dream match that some fans want, but for others it could be seen as an unnecessary bit of booking.  Without the proper setup, this match could be lost in the shuffle among other main-event attractions that WrestleMania 30 is sure to bring.

source: bleacherreport.com

Backstage News On Rob Van Dam Returning To WWE For WrestleMania XXX Season

photo courtesy: pwmania.com

As noted before, part-time WWE Superstar Rob Van dam will be appearing for Booker T's Reality of Wrestling promotion in Houston, Texas on January 11th at the Clear lake Sports and Recreation Center. RVD is also scheduled for a VIP meet and greet that night.

PWInsider reports that current plans call for Van Dam to return to the company for WrestleMania XXX season at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view later this month. WWE wanted to lock RVD in through Extreme Rules in April, but that was longer than the 90 day window he had agreed to. Its being said that his appearance at Booker T's promotion could be a warm-up for his return but it's not confirmed that he will be wrestling that night.

source: wrestlinginc.com

Backstage News On Steve Austin Possibly Never Wrestling Again, His WrestleMania Status

photo courtesy: wwefansnation.com

Regarding speculation surrounding Steve Austin making an appearance at WrestleMania XXX, word is that if he does appear, it won't be as an active wrestler.

Austin has talked privately about working with CM Punk in the past but Punk is currently scheduled to face Triple H at WrestleMania XXX. Word within WWE is that Austin has not been receptive to the idea of working a match this year, which given his age, may completely close the window on Austin ever wrestling again.

source: wrestlinginc.com

The Rock Reveals His Original Plans For WrestleMania XXX, When Might He Return?

photo courtesy: dailywrestlingnews.com

The Rock did another #RockTalk chat on Twitter this afternoon. A fan asked him if he would be returning for WrestleMania XXX. Rock says he, Vince McMahon and Brock Lesnar had plans for a Rock vs. Brock match in 2014 but that won't be happening. Rock added that there's a chance he will return for WrestleMania 31.

Rock tweeted:

Between Vince, Brock & myself our Wrestlemania 30 plan was ROCK vs BROCK. No plans now for 30 but possibly WM 31. #RockTalk @_JordanMayoral
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 31, 2013

source: wrestlinginc.com

WWE in Talks with Goldberg, Possible Role at WrestleMania XXX?

photo courtesy: facebook30.blogspot.in

It looks like WWE and Bill Goldberg are on speaking terms again, and a role at next year's WrestleMania XXX may not be out of the question.

Goldberg and WWE have had a tumultuous relationship. The former WCW World Heavyweight champion worked for the company from 2003 to 2004, but never found true success thanks to bad booking and shoddy storylines.

Indeed, his most memorable WWE moment, for all the wrong reasons, may have been that match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XX.

Since then, a return has seemed unlikely. Goldberg wasn't happy with WWE when he left and has never been shy to say so.

As WrestlingInc notes, the star got caught in a war of words with last year with Ryback (the two men have very similar gimmicks.) Goldberg has also taken to Twitter to trash Triple H and blast the company for its lack of business sense.

However, in this week's (subscribers-only) Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer writes talks have started up between Goldberg and the company again and even notes that there have been talks of using the star at WrestleMania XXX next year:

WWE and Bill Goldberg are now in talks, which adds to the list of the people who in the past it seemed they would never do business with. Goldberg, even more than Ultimate Warrior, had been someone in the past they had wanted no involvement with, but the policy now seems to be to mend fences with any former superstar to the public who had past bitterness. There has been talk of him doing next year’s WrestleMania.

Meltzer goes on to note that a spot in the Hall of Fame may even be possible. Granted, Goldberg wasn't in WWE for very long, but when you look at some of the bit-players who have made it in, he's not that much of a stretch. And he was WWE Champion.

But while a spot at the Hall of Fame would be fine, should we be as eager to see Goldberg stage a wrestling comeback?

Personally, I would say no.

We have to remember that Goldberg in 47 now. And even in his prime he wasn't that great a wrestler (he got over in WCW mainly due to his charisma and intensity). So how competent will the aging star be after a decade removed from the business?

And, sure, he was immensely popular in 1998. But if the floundering fortunes of Impact Wrestling have taught us anything, it's that just because fans reacted to something 15 years ago, doesn't mean that they will now.

source: bleacherreport.com

Steve Austin Gives Update on Potentially Wrestling at WrestleMania XXX

photo courtesy: arolemodel.com

It has been over ten long years since Steve Austin has stepped foot in a WWE ring as a wrestler. As a result of nagging injuries—specifically his neck and knees—Austin was forced to retire from active competition after sending us off with a fantastic match at WrestleMania XIX against The Rock.

Since then, Austin has managed to show that he at least has the ability to execute his patented "Stone Cold Stunner" finisher, with Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, Roddy Piper, Carlito, The McMahons and JBL being a few recipients of the move.

Over the years, Austin has hinted of his condition being far more better than it was while he was an active wrestler. This has caused a static level of buzz concerning whether the WWE Universe would see him in the ring one more time.

However, the past couple years has been more realistic than ever. Not only is Austin in much better condition, but he has a much younger superstar that can truly test his endurance.

It has been over ten long years since Steve Austin has stepped foot in a WWE ring as a wrestler. As a result of nagging injuries—specifically his neck and knees—Austin was forced to retire from active competition after sending us off with a fantastic match at WrestleMania XIX against The Rock.

Since then, Austin has managed to show that he at least has the ability to execute his patented "Stone Cold Stunner" finisher, with Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, Roddy Piper, Carlito, The McMahons and JBL being a few recipients of the move.

Over the years, Austin has hinted of his condition being far more better than it was while he was an active wrestler. This has caused a static level of buzz concerning whether the WWE Universe would see him in the ring one more time.

However, the past couple years has been more realistic than ever. Not only is Austin in much better condition, but he has a much younger superstar that can truly test his endurance.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin's Toughest Opponent & Returning To Fight CM Punk | Larry King Now


CM Punk.

Despite this, the stage has not been appropriately set yet. WrestleMania 28 and 29 was shrouded with the Rock and John Cena "Once" ... er... "Twice in a Lifetime" main event matches. No need for Austin to fill a supporting role to the two-year-plus feud.

Now, WrestleMania XXX is approaching, and it is by far the most anticipated pay-per-view in WWE history.

In an interview conducted by Busted Open with Dave Lagreca and Doug Mortman (via WrestlingInc.com), Austin did not hold anything back regarding an opportunity to be a part of the biggest event of the year.

Oh I'm healthy enough. My knees coming around just fine, it's better than it's ever been because I've been doing my do diligence on my rehab. I've got two new ligaments. Everything else is pain free. I'm still in shape been working out harder than I've ever worked out.

Austin also addressed his views on the possibility of a match with CM Punk, stating that it could be a great match due to Punk "[bringing] a lot to the table from a verbal standpoint with his well thought out promos, [and] the way in which he conducts his business."

Although Austin does not want to give a great deal of attention to another match, the writing is on the wall that one more match has been much more than a passing thought. Next year, Austin turns 50, so there is only so much that his body can handle. However—with the amazing ring psychology that he has—he would unquestionably deliver memorable matches even in this stage of his life.

The biggest caveat of this scenario is CM Punk's unmuddled desire to wrestle in a main event at WrestleMania, which this match would most likely prevent. Essentially, if this happens at WrestleMania XXX, something has to give—either Punk does not wrestle in the main event, or we see Punk/Austin in the main event, which would only make sense if a title was involved.

So, unfortunately—stalemate.

Would you be in favor of Austin returning at WrestleMania XXX? Sound off (civilly) below.

source: bleacherreport.com

Update on Where the McMahon Family Angle Is Going, How It Factors into WMXXX

photo courtesy: wwe.com

Just where is the current storyline with the McMahon family going? Many people are wondering the same thing.

Vince, Stephanie and Triple H have been all over WWE television in recent times, squabbling over one thing or another. Stephanie appears to be taking charge of the Divas Division if her recent confrontation with A.J. Lee is any indication.

They've also taken to making poor Vickie Guerrero's life a living hell. Yes, thanks to the McMahon clan, Vickie Guerrero, of all people, is now one of the most sympathetic people on the show.

These segments aren't great (a group hug? Really?) and just feel like filler for the most part. But, per one report, these segments are going somewhere.

Per Dave Meltzer in this week's (subscribers-only) Wrestling Observer Newsletter, things will really get going at SummerSlam and will likely culminate at WrestleMania XXX:

The planned main angle, and it will get bigger as SummerSlam approaches and explode at some point after that for Mania, is the McMahon family angle.

Interestingly, Meltzer also disputed the claims that the USA Network, which airs Raw, is pushing for the family's involvement:

The story that they are back on TV because the USA Network wanted it is really not the case. There have been times the USA Network has wanted Vince back on television, thinking Vince helps ratings, and usually he does, although this latest return has not, given Raw is at lower numbers than at anytime in 15 years...The McMahons are there because it’s what they came up with as the key thing for the next year in creating a Mania main event.

It remains to be seen whether or not the McMahons can churn out the "big summer angle" that fans expect. As Meltzer notes, they aren't really the ratings draws they used to be.

This isn't 1999 anymore. Is it a good idea to expect the family to carry television, and pay-per-view, in the upcoming year?

source: bleacherreport.com