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1.08.2011

Booking WrestleMania XXVII


It's never too early to think about WrestleMania. Traditionally, WWE has booked the card a year in advance ... so what's wrong with booking it now, with less than 3 months to go before the big show in Atlanta?

The following is how I'd book the show, not necessarily how I think it's going to turn out.

I've operated under the following restrictions: using only the current WWE roster, staying (somewhat) true to current storylines, and understanding that there will be no celebrity involvement (including Brock Lesnar).

Randy Orton vs. John Cena - WWE Championship

No doubt, this match has been done before, but if it's kept simple and booked correctly, it could be a huge draw. Orton wins the title at the Royal Rumble, while Cena wins the Rumble match itself. Keep it simple with the two biggest stars in the company.

Recent reports have CM Punk and Miz involved with Orton and Cena in some capacity. However, I just don't see either John Cena or Randy Orton vs. Miz, or Cena or Orton vs. Punk, as being correct fits to headline WrestleMania.

Plus, I've got something better for Punk, that'd you'll read about a little lower.

Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio - World Heavyweight Championship

I'm a big Del Rio mark, and I think now is the time to put the big belt on a fresh face. The lustre is already starting to wear off the newcomer, but putting the World Title on him now could erase all of that.

I think the Del Rio-Rey feud still has legs (as shown on last night's "Friday Night Smackdown"), but I could see Edge challenging Del Rio too, either in a singles or Triple Threat match.

Triple H vs. Sheamus

I'd hold off Triple H's return until the "Raw" after Elimination Chamber, after building Sheamus up for a month.

It appears as if there will be little celebrity involvement this year, and there won't be a Shawn Michaels or Ric Flair retirement match, or any other nostalgic act to bring back this year. (Vince apparently wants Sting, however.) As a result, Triple H's return is going to have to be portrayed as a really big deal.

Undertaker vs. Big Show - Streak on the Line

I debated on putting Wade Barrett in here instead of Big Show, but as the streak continues, I think it becomes more and more imperative to put someone believable in this spot against Taker. Show has been misused for years now, but I think 2 months is enough time to build Show up as an unstoppable monster, capable of putting Taker's streak in jeopardy. I just don't think Barrett is at that level yet.

Daniel Bryan vs. CM Punk - United States Championship

The smart marks dream match-up. And one that Bryan wants as well.

Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler - Intercontinental Championship

These two have shown that they work well together, so I'd have them go one more time.

I'd could also see Jack Swagger or Cody Rhodes in this spot challenging Kingston, with Ziggler being put in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match (where he'd probably be the favourite to win).

The Miz vs. John Morrison

A grudge match between two former tag team partners. They showed that they can work well together on "Raw" two weeks ago, and I think they can do it on the big stage.

I could envision either man in the MITB match too.

Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov vs. Usos - Tag Team Championship

If you're going to put a token tag team match on the card, this would be it.

Natalya vs. Awesome Kong - Divas Championship

Maybe I'm breaking the rules a little bit with this one, but rumour has it that Kong signed, and this would be a great match.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Edge
Kane
Wade Barrett
Jack Swagger
Cody Rhodes
Drew McIntyre
Evan Bourne
Mark Henry
R-Truth
Ted Dibiase

What would your WrestleMania card look like?

5 comments: on "Booking WrestleMania XXVII"

Moonsalt said...

perhaps its more the WWE than your booking Andrew but I'm pretty sure I have seen all these matches on free TV and see no need to pay for the WM ppv except maybe money in the bank match, which has its own ppv this year (in my hometown of Chicago no less)

Andrew Gray said...

You're right ... that's a big issue in WWE, giving away PPV-quality matches on a weekly basis on free TV.

Do you think Orton-Punk and Cena-Miz main events would freshen things up?

Anonymous said...

Know it breaks the rules but Undertaker vs. Sting IT WILL HAPPEN!!!

Andrew Gray said...

It's certainly been rumoured. Not sure if Sting wants to do it, though.

Sting is one of the only big names in modern wrestling history who has never worked for the WWF/WWE.

AdamFromWelland said...

Here's the way I'd like the main events to be booked.

Christian comes back after the Rumble and turns heel on Edge because Edge "stole" his spotlight of returning by winning the World Title setting up Edge vs. Christian at Wrestlemania.

Next, have Del Rio win the Rumble by doing some heel shit to win. Cena wins the WWE Title at Elimination Chamber. Have that set up Del Rio as the challenger to face Cena at Wrestlemania for the WWE Championship.