I've watched every Wrestlemania and even attended one in Wrestlemania 26. You don't understand or can appreciate all that goes into the production truly until you've been to one live.
It's one thing to watch it on your computer or on TV and complain but this for the most part is a 4 hour live production that takes place without any do overs.
I watched the Once in a Lifetime production and thought it was a well done piece on both the Rock and Cena and it was nice to get some behind the scene things that you normally don't see or know that even takes place. While I can't stand Cena the wrestler, I did get an admiration of what Cena does for Make a Wish and other areas.
This really helped make me want to see WM28 all the more than I already did and I came in with high expectations as always for the Super Bowl of Wrestling.
As for Star Power in the form of entertainment I don't think there was any. I may be out of the music scene of today and maybe MGK and Flo Rida are big time artists. I would think I would have heard of them in the mainstream or my kids would be going nuts that they were there playing. Neither did so I don't know. I guess I have been spoiled thinking back to the 80's with Ali, Cyndi Lauper, Liberace etc etc... for me personally there wasn't star power draw that had me wanting to see them more or go search for them and download their music. I will say that I do have the Invincible song downloaded but it was only after watching the Once in a Lifetime hour show because I liked how they used it and the female singing does a good job on the song.
Lillian Garcia did a great rendition of America The Beautiful and the F16's were a great way to kick off the show.
For intrigue value there's a few things.
Why the 17 second squash to start Wrestlemania. You built Daniel Bryan up had him win matches he wasn't likely or supposed to win.. Examples, Big Show, Mark Henry and Elimination Chamber come to mind. I said they built Sheamus up to win the championship in my prediction topic but just don't get this style of a match especially to start off WM28. Typically you want some crazy get the crowd going back and forth type match to get people's juice flowing. Could you imagine coming to the show a few minutes late and really wanting to see this match to know you missed it in a blink of an eye?
What was the point of having Kane defeat Orton. If someone knows by all means chime in.
There was a nice build up for Jericho/Punk but what was the reasoning for bringing Jericho back? To put over Punk? There wasn't a need for it. The right play was Jericho wins and you have a summer long feud until Summer Slam. What do you have now? I am sure this feud will somehow continue with Jericho talking more trash and they have a rematch but what then? Where does it go after that? Survivor Series? King of the Ring?
The Rock's win over Cena while I love it from a personal stance but from a business stance it makes no sense. The Rock is a part timer at best, will be gone making movies and your bellweather top of the heap wrestler now does what?
Does Cena just say I gave it my best, I lost and go challenge Punk? Jericho? Who ?? It won't be the Rock right away, the only thing I can think of is they have another match at Summer Slam this time Cena wins and they do it all over again at WM29 to settle the score once and for all. Now that would make some sense if that is the direction they go.
Stupid stuff:
Brodius Clay time was nonsense. I understand they are trying to get everyone on the active roster on the PPV to get paid but that part of the show had to be one of the worst in recent WM history. Not sure what the point of it was, maybe entertainment value, but I would ask for a refund on this portion. Bahhhhh.....
The Team Johnny/Teddy after the match ending with Eve kicking Zack in the nuts ummm ok....
The farce of Maria from Extra pinning Beth again is silly. Why diminish the Champ you've built up that can't be beat but yet you let some supposed star from Extra with broke ribs and feet problem win? What comes out of this is unknown.
Match of WM28
UT/HHH. Lots of intrigue, you didn't know what HBK was going to do and they let it all hang out here. Nice way to end the match and walking from the ring to the back. Like I stated in my live coverage this for me has come full circle. For old school fans like myself, I got it all the way and it was a great touch. Is the UT done for good? Is HHH done for good? I have a feeling no, but they are done with one another at WM.
20 years straight of the UT winning is nice, they can't end the streak of wins with a loss but can end it with no more WM matches for UT and the first one without him there will be a major void just like without HBK currently.
I thought the Punk/Jericho match was good, just don't like the result.
The Rock/Cena match had a lot of slow parts to it, some good spots and for me personally the ending I wanted to see but not one I expected or understand at this point.
It was nice to see Show win but I hated to see Cody's 233 day streak of champ come to an end.
Now what?
Sheamus vs Bryan rematch obviously but when? The next PPV? Where does Cody Rhodes fit into this picture? There's no place but up for Cody after his IC run...
Big Show feuds with?
Cena feuds with? Does the Rock stay in the picture?
Does Jericho/Punk continue or will Daniel Bryan come into the picture to have a resolve to their matches and crown an ultimate winner?
Teddy Long what happens to him? Not that I care to be honest but it is a loose end that needs addressed.
At some point Alberto Del Rio and Christian will be back and will fit in someway.
The Miz won't be forgotten because he will tell us how he headlined WM27 and won the Team Johnny match at WM28, does he somehow fit in with Punk, Cena, Sheamus or a tag team with Daniel Bryan?
I like Miz and think they have under utilized him after his win over Cena last year at WM 27.
Lots of loose ends and intrigue to follow from this WM and it all begins in less than 24 hours on the USA Network. Don't forget the watered down version of the HOF starts at 8PM on USA.
The WWE ratings have been down leading into WM28 and will have tough sledding with the NCAA Championship to deal with in the same time slot. It's too bad to be honest because I would've liked to see them not have a monster to deal with to see what true ratings they would've received.
If you have comments or thoughts by all means feel free to post them. I like interaction and love wrestling as you can tell.
Thanks for following along as always.
FREAK
