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Matt Barnes |
FSM tries to fix the state of WrestleMania once and for all
We all know that Wrestlemania is called ‘The Grandest Stage of them All’ but for all of WWE’s efforts in recent years, the end product hasn’t always lived up to that moniker. Try as it might to book the showcase-to-end-all-showcases, WWE just hasn’t surpassed its own previous best offerings from throughout the years – instead, the event in its current form just feels like a slightly bigger extension of the pay-per-views we see throughout the rest of the year, without the necessary grandeur it so sorely needs. Undoubtedly, a combination of nepotism-led booking, blinkered thinking and an inability to connect with the mainstream all act as reasons behind the many disappointing cards.
But with WrestleMania’s biggest anniversary just around the corner, we thought it was time to ponder what we’d do if we had the chance. Would we balls it all up by booking Hunter vs Cena as the main event, or would we actually book the real ‘Greatest Show on Earth’? Moreover, is Wrestlemania too broken to be fixed, or does it just need a little tender loving care?
First of all, we should say that while we fully accept that WrestleMania is hardly on life support, it’s very much a concept in need of new life breathing into it. In days of yore, WrestleMania truly was a special event; it had all of the glitz and the glamour of Hollywood and celebrities, advertisers and sports stars alike all clamoured to get involved. This year, WWE are struggling to get a guy who played a wrestler in a movie to appear on the card. What does that tell you about the entire concept?
So, what are the main points of a good show? Ideally, we need to think about things like emotional investment and intensity. In this respect, WWE are doing a couple of things right going into WrestleMania 25. Firstly, Matt Hardy vs Jeff Hardy will, without a doubt, be a stellar encounter that really tugs on the heartstrings. And secondly, Edge winning the World Heavyweight Championship in such opportunistic fashion at No Way Out opens up a world of emotional possibilities going into the biggest show of the year.
And certainly, WrestleMania is all about those special ‘moments’ that you don’t get during the rest of the WWE calendar. Last year, Shawn Michaels beat Ric Flair in a truly emotional and talked-about match – it had everything and was as real a ‘Wrestlemania Moment’ as they get. But, in reality, how far back do you have to go before that to find another such awe-inspiring moment? Edge spearing Foley through a flaming table at WrestleMania 22? Benoit and Eddie at the end of WrestleMania XX? Hogan vs The Rock at WrestleMania X7?
For the rest of this feature, check out issue 39 of FSM - available at WH Smith and all good retailers. (For US readers we are now carried at Borders and Barnes & Noble, so check for local availability or click here to subscribe.)
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