Heel-Mania is Running Wild?

The Main Event?
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Chris Hagstrom
@chrishagstrom on Twitter

Before I get this blog started, I want to thank Kevin and Chad for allowing me to contribute to My 1-2-3 Cents and Adam Testa for proofing my post. Some of you may remember me as the former Executive Producer for All American Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Collision. Now, I’m just a private pro wrestling citizen who wants to share my 1-2-3 (and sometimes 4-5) cents. I look forward to adding more blogs in the future. Now onto the matter at hand…

After the events of this week’s Friday Night Smackdown, it appears, for the time being, that the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match will consist of two men who many in the WWE Universe despise or couldn't care less about. Batista will challenge Randy Orton on the grandest stage of them all. My only real question is… Why?

Given the reaction both men have received since the Royal Rumble, one would think the powers that be would call an audible and alter the match to something more people would want to see. And it is rumored that CM Punk walked out on WWE because, once again, a part-time wrestler is in the main event. So, if this really is the case, is WWE setting itself up for failure?

Looking back on the past 29 WrestleManias, the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship has been the true main event (which, in my opinion, should be the final match on the card that everyone wants to see) a total of 24 times. The other five have been major feuds that culminated in one final encounter (let’s just forget about The Rock vs. JohnCena at WM 28 for now). If the main event will be Orton vs. Bootista, his affectionate new nickname given to him by the WWE Universe, not only could the milestone 30th edition of the “Showcase of the Immortals” be forgettable, it might be the final straw to those fans who have patiently waited to be drawn back into the product.

Enter Daniel Bryan.

Jim Ross, a man who I respect and have idolized as a broadcaster, former head of talent relations and one of the greatest minds in the business, has voiced his frustrations with fans who are impatient and need to give this story time to develop, a slow build if you will. While I agree pro wrestling fans have become impatient through the years, how long can WWE keep cutting the legs out from underneath Bryan before the Universe becomes apathetic to his character, something Dolph Zigglar can attest to.

Bryan & Triple H
Photo courtesy: WWE

It appears Bryan is headed toward a match with Triple H at WrestleMania, which some would argue is the logical progression to the story being told. There are still weeks before the Granddaddy of Them All, so anything can happen. But we all know that the marquee matches will need that time to develop.

The path for these two is predictable. The leader of the Yes Movement will continue to go after Triple H until he gets his match. Eventually, the storyline COO of WWE will agree but only under one condition. Here is where it could get interesting, and this is strictly my opinion. Triple H will agree to the match only if Daniel Bryan will give up trying to blame the Authority for his troubles and his quest to become the face of WWE and the World’s Heavyweight Champion. But, if Bryan wins, he will receive a title shot against the winner of Orton vs. Batista the next night on Raw. Logically, it doesn’t make sense for Bryan to challenge that night. Give him time to rest up for his shot. Plus, in recent years, the night after WrestleMania has become just as, if not more, important than WrestleMania itself.

Is this ideal? No. Do I even like this idea? Not really. But following WWE logic (there’s that word again), it makes the most sense and gives the payoff nearly everyone in the WWE Universe wants to see. Unfortunately, that means we still have to sit through Batista vs. Orton, though I don’t see that match closing the show. Then again, at this point, what match could? I will save that answer for the next blog.

It will be interesting to see how the card develops over the next couple of weeks. All I know is that, as of this writing, RAW in Chicago could be one of the most volatile episodes in recent memory, if only due to it being in CM Punk’s hometown. And we all know how strongly us Chicagoans feel about Punk (whether it was right or wrong for him to walk out).

What are your thoughts on the title match? Does WrestleMania even interest you at this point? Please let us know and comment below.

Thanks for reading, and I plan to end every blog the same… Please support your local indie wrestling fed and head to a show or buy merchandise. They are the future of the business.