Wrestlemania Predictions... But Not Mine!

I am excited for Wrestlemania and RAW as a fan.

I can honestly say I haven't stated anything like that in a long time without actually attending a show. The WWE has me interested as a fan. Not just as an analyst. Not just as the "Genius." As a fan.

It's obvious that i enjoy wrestling. The fact that i spend time blogging and analyzing a business that i have no connection or affiliation with is proof of that. But the things about wrestling that interest me are a little different than what might interest others. I love being able to tell where the story or angle is going to go (Genius, remember?). I love watching talent grow and develop into a superstar. I also love watching people not reach the potential that they should have. I love seeing that an Indy wrestler that i watched in an gymnasium in Elizabeth, PA is now a multi-time former world champion. I love the physicality and athleticism of wrestling. I love the entertainment value it brings with it. But most of all, I love the BUSINESS of wrestling. However, i haven't been a fan in a very long time. I haven't LOVED the actual product as a fan. Until recently.

This road to Wrestlemania has me looking forward to RAW on Monday every week. It even has me watching Smackdown on occasion, which is unbelievable. Recently, I find myself watching the show as a fan and feeling cloudy on what the outcome might be. 3 weeks ago, I thought for sure John Cena would walk out of Atlanta the champ. Now, I'm not so sure. This new found "fandom" has clouded my genius abilities a bit. It could even be that, for once, I don't want to know ahead of time. I want to be surprised like every other fan. I attended RAW last week and enjoyed it as a fan. The show wasn't all that great, to be honest. It was damn entertaining live though. I found myself cheering for C.M. Punk and John Cena and HHH. Hell, I don't even really like HHH. I found myself being frustrated when Michael Cole was ripping into Lawler yet again. It felt... personal. I was caught up in the moment and it was impressive to watch these professionals do their job and do it well. They have their own mystique.

The Wrestlemania card is shaping up to be a very strong show. The Rock will be present for the entire 4 hours. That'll be entertaining itself. However, the WWE has me caring about the storyline and matches, too. I want to know what happens between Cena, The Miz and The Rock. The Randy Orton and C.M. Punk feud is definitely my favorite and i expect it to be one of the best wrestling matches of the night. HHH and The Undertaker are 2 superstars I don't particularly care for but I think their match at Wrestlemania could steal the show. Is it Del Rio's time to shine? Even the under card looks entertaining.

This would be the blog that would contain my predictions for Wrestlemania. Instead, I am going to let you guys voice your opinions on who you think will win each match. Everyday, i will post a poll in "The Wrestling Genius" Facebook group and you all pick the winner. Post comments in the Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_142956149101477&ap=1). We are one week away from Wrestlemania and i want to hear your thoughts. Your predictions. Your opinions. Of course, i know you love hearing my predictions and opinions. How could you not? But this time, I want to give you all the floor. Let your voice be heard.

Make it happen.

A Less "Rocky" Road to Wrestlemania

So, were you surprised on Monday? Surprised... not excited. There's a difference. If you were surprised then that's unfortunate. It's unfortunate because that means you didn't believe me. You didn't follow my logic as to why The Rock was the best choice to host Wrestlemania. You didn't see what i saw when i said that The Rock brings more publicity to Wrestlemania than just wrestling fans, followers and writers. He is arguably one of the most popular wrestlers EVER in the wrestling industry. In addition, he has eclipsed that popularity with his success in Hollywood. Now, not just "Sports Entertainment" media, but ALL entertainment medias will be covering Wrestlemania. It's already started with ET getting involved. It's what the WWE needed. Hell, it's what wrestling as a whole needed. Monday was exciting to remember what used to be with The Rock and to look forward to what he will do. We're still six weeks away from Wrestlemania. That's a lot of Rocky from now until then.

Exciting? Absolutely. But i am insulted if you were surprised. "The Wrestling Genius" isn't just a gimmick. Next time, you'll know better.

He doesn't have to wrestle to make an impact. He'll get involved, sure. But he won't have a match at Wrestlemania or RAW or anywhere else. His wrestling days are done. That doesn't really matter though. That's not The Rock's expertise. He is a master on the microphone and he proved that on RAW. He has been gone 7 years from the wrestling business. 7 years away from live television. There was no rust, no hesitation and no uncomfortability. He proved why he was able to carry the company so long ago and why he is able to instill life back into a mundane and boring product that's currently being offered to the fans. In one night, after 7 years, The Rock made every wrestler on the current roster look terrible on the mic. I know John Cena, the Miz and CM Punk are great on the mic. Cena has the ability to improvise very well. Punk is very methodical in his deliveries. The Miz is starting to sound like a broken record now, but he is still strong with the mic. However, are they 10's because the rest of the wrestlers are 5's? We had a saying where i used to work: "Don't make a 5 an 8 just because of the environment." The same rings true with the current talent pool in the WWE.

The Rock is a legitimate 10. He was on the mic for 25 minutes. HE was the main event of Raw. No one cared that there was no main event match. Why would they? Why would they want to see another tag team main event of Cena and Orton vs Punk and the Miz? How many times can the fans care that Alex Riley won another match for The Miz or that Orton had to fight off all of Nexus again? The best part of RAW was the main event... and it wasn't a wrestling match. This ties back to my previous blog about a lack of talented wrestlers and main-eventers.

The Rock made some comments and promises that were surprising. He called out The Miz and, to my surprise, John Cena. I expect Cena to win the Elimination Chamber and go on to fight The Miz at Wrestlemania for the title. I also expect the Rock to involve himself in that match somehow. He will probably be the guest referee or special enforcer for the match and be a major factor in the outcome. I think he will finally stop Alex Riley from protecting The Miz's title and Cena will be crowned champion. The Rock also said that he would never leave again. Those are pretty strong words after leaving and never returning for 7 long years. I doubt he will stick around forever like he said but they could develop an on-air role for him on either show. I don't have a prediction on that as of yet, but an obvious choice could be the GM position on Raw. 

I do hope that The Rock can bring back some of the "Attitude Era." This PG garbage has got to go. I don't want to read John Cena tweeting because he said the word ass, damn or shit. This is wrestling and it's not traditional. Punches are thrown. Blood is spilled. It's physical and barbaric. I don't want to watch the participants apologize because they said shit instead of crap. You don't see the UFC guys apologizing when they swear. Most cartoons and movies have more graphic content than a full contact, physical event like a wrestling match. What's wrong with people? It's okay to watch Family Guy or South Park but if John Cena says ass it's the end of the world? Please. John Cena used to rap promos about oral sex among other things. You may be shocked or offended when he first says it but next week you'll forget and cheer like a mindless zombie again. Just like the rest of us.

Oh... the new 2-21-11 video aired. Doesn't everyone feel silly for saying it's Sting. Well, not everyone. I don't. Like i said last week... It's just The Undertaker. The video is at the end of the blog if you missed it.

So, what have we learned today?

1. The Rock is a 10. Especially in this era of wrestling.

2. Attitude Era > *

3. Listening to me will raise your wrestling IQ.

4. I told you so.