Wrestlemania Prediction Guidelines

It’s that time again, and now it is for the biggest prediction challenges of the year! Wrestlemania XXVIII is here and ready to challenge everyone, or not depending on your take. There are eight announced matches and a JPEG title on the line. The current title holder is @MarkBilly. Will you be the one to steal it from him?

The matches you must predict this PPV are as follows:

John Cena vs. The Rock

Triple H vs. The Undertaker

-Tie Breaker Part 1: How many 2 counts during this match?

-Tie Breaker Part 2: Who has the most 2 counts during this match?

CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho

Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus

Cody Rhodes vs. The Big Show

Randy Orton vs. Kane

Team Teddy vs. Team Johnny

Maria Menounos & Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix & Eve

 

EXAMPLES OF HOW TO WRITE THE PREDICTIONS! – There are 42 of you SO FAR. Please follow the example. It’s a lot of work for me every month to go through and fix them.

 

Triple H vs. The Undertaker

There is no way that Undertaker is going to lose his streak to Triple H when he could go out 20-0. Winner: Undertaker

Tie Breaker 1: 15

Tie Breaker 2: Undertaker

CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho’s contract is said to be running out, I doubt they are giving the title to another person on their way out. Winner: CM Punk

 

You may leave your predictions in the comments below, you may dm them to me on twitter, or you may email them to me at SolaceWinter@yahoo.com

 

TLC Predictions

Another Pay-Per-View and another round of predictions. This PPV we had fourteen predictors. For a while I thought many people were going to get it straight down the board. It seemed this was going to be a very predictable PPV. For some it still was, but those who were most confident fell a little behind!

In the event there was a tie we needed a tie breaker, for this time there was a title on the line! (Thank you Shawn Decker!) The tie breaker was how long would the main event last. Unfortunately with little knowledge of everything else that was going to be thrown into the show, this was a complete guessing game. The main event lasted 18:15 which made my good pal BizarroDoom the closest guesser. However, since he was not in the final few, the next closest was OWA_Sephiroth! Congratulations, sweetie, you won!

Here’s how our predictions went down for this night!

Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder for the US Title

Solace Prediction:
I love Ziggler. Ziggler should hold onto this title for as long as he can. That being said, if Ryder loses again they will have made this feud a joke and given the bird to the community. Ryder has to win, even if it’s a fluke. Winner: Zack Ryder

TheSupremeForce Prediction:
They’ve held off throwing the title on Ryder longer than I expected, considering the WWE’s tendency to overreact to everything. I just hope Ryder doesn’t win cleanly. Ziggler deserves better. Winner: Zack Ryder

StephiOC815 Prediction:
Think they got to give this to Ryder or there really WILL be a riot. Let’s Ziggler move on to bigger & better things. Winner: Zack Ryder

TheJurn Prediction:
Zack Ryder is finally going to become US Champion, it’d be stupid to let him lose after all this build-up and Dolph can now move on. Winner: Zack Ryder

JayTheBrainMann Prediction:
My broski Zack Ryder’s gotta win it. If he doesn’t, it’ll be a #screwjob. #WWWYKI Winner: Zack Ryder

SirTweets_ALot Prediction:
Like many others, I’m a Zack Ryder guy. I want to see him win, but he won’t. Much like Rhodes, Spirit Squad Nicky is destined for a WHC…There are too many Cenas and Del Rios on Raw to give Ziggler a legitimate spot in the title picture, so he stays in the US**** “division”. Winner by outside interference + Zig Zag, Mr Ziggles. Winner: Dolph Ziggler

BizarroDoom Prediction:
*Sigh*. Okay, look. I like Zack Ryder. I really do! But this is all starting to happen a little quickly. If there’s one thing that WWE consistently fails to grasp, it’s pacing. Zack will win the match and the title. He’ll be pushed to the moon. And, in two years, everyone (or almost everyone) who creid for him to get a chance will hate him. That’s what happened to Cena. This match will begin Zack Ryder Overkill. Winner: Zack Ryder (new US Champion)

Paradise_Lost12 Prediction:
They could have done this months ago, and people would have been happy. But they’ve made us wait, but the feud has to end now. Ziggler can move up, and Ryder is in the perfect position to win that belt, and hopefully they use the twitter/youtube for future feuds. Winner: Zack Ryder

OWA_Sephiroth Prediction:
Zigs could win and lose it at the Rumble, but he’s probably moving on. The Broski has earned the belt. Winner: Zack Ryder (WWWYKI)

MarkBilly Prediction:
Please… just please! Winner: Zack Ryder

shawndecker Prediction:
Ryder with the upset of the year. Ziggler drops US strap and begins his hunt for the WWE championship… with a Rumble win! Winner: Zack Ryder

Yawsrko Prediction:
*sighs* Zack Ryder. Because I know that’s what you want, and they want, and everybody seems to want. I’ve lost interest in him though. Winner: Zack Ryder

ZackZiggler Prediction:
Dolph to retain… Ryder winning would almost kill his progression.. they still have to keep him back a little while longer… no title til at least WM… as much as a Ryder win would rule… we are going with Dolph… and of course you know. we are torn. Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Drustuart Prediction:
Sorry Ryder fans. Clean win for Dolph but he will then drop US belt on RR undercard to Zack before winning the Rumble. Winner: Ziggler

Winner: Zack Ryder

AirBoom vs. Primo & Epico

No predictions as this was a “last minute” match.

Winner: AirBoom

Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett in a Tables Match

Solace Prediction:
I love Randy, we know I do, but I really, really, REALLY want to see Wade win this one. Despite the fact that Randy actually been losing lately I still think it would do more for Wade to win. Winner: Wade Barrett

TheSupremeForce Prediction:
Wade in what will probably be something of a “fluke” victory, since that’s how Tables Matches tend to go.Winner: Wade Barrett

StephiOC815 Prediction:
Have loved the way they’ve built this up but I think w/ Wade getting the upper hand so far, Orton will get his revenge. Winner: Randy Orton

TheJurn Prediction:
The Barrett Barrage is going to roll on and Barrett will beat Orton and become the next credible heel on Smackdown. Winner: Wade Barrett

JayTheBrainMann Prediction:
I’m going with Orton. He’s a beast right now, so I can’t see his momentum slowing with him breaking through a table. Winner: Randy Orton

SirTweets_ALot Prediction:
Although there’s been a lot of build up for this match, I don’t find myself caring whatsoever. Winner by Wasteland through a table: Wade Barrett

BizarroDoom Prediction:
They’ve both been looking pretty strong going into this match, which is nice. And, being a Tables Match, they can both continue to look strong coming out of it. So, I’m thinking Barrett wins with help and Orton wins the eventual blowoff. Winner: Wade Barrett

Paradise_Lost12 Prediction:
Wade has really gotten the better of Orton for most of this feud, and even if Barrett loses here he’s still gained a lot from this, and Orton is due a win. I figure a match where he doesn’t have to pin Barrett, gives Randy a win without hurting Barrett’s momentum. Winner: Randy Orton

OWA_Sephiroth Prediction:
Calling Orton, here. Barrett went over last PPV, and they’ll probably want him looking good for the Rumble, or a title match. Winner: Orton

MarkBilly Prediction:
Barrett is (again) proving he’s amazing. Orton is boring. I’m just hoping they go with Barrett! Winner: Wade Barrett

shawndecker Prediction:
Orton defeats Barrett, unless big Skip Sheffield returns to resume his role as Wade’s enforcer… Now that would be fun! Winner: Randy Orton

Yawsrko Prediction:
Duh. Randy. lol. I like Wade, even though the awkward moments where his hair unglues startles me without fail…I have to go with Randy. If it was Randy vs. CODY in a tables match, I’d go with Cody. Winner: Randy Orton

ZackZiggler Prediction:
So hard to call Orton has been losing and Barrett has been winning.Don’t know if that can continue. We think this match has big implications going forward. To Royal Rumble/ElimChamber and even WM… quite possibly a 3/4 way match at WM. Might be big thinking eitherway.. but Barrett has our vote… Winner: Wade Barrett

Drustuart Prediction:
Difficult, Wade is on a roll, Randy has lost more than usual recently. As it is in theory no 1 contenders I’ll go for Orton. Winner: Orton

Winner: Randy Orton

Beth Phoenix vs. Kelly Kelly for the Divas Championship

Another unannounced match that we did not take predictions on.

Winner: Beth Phoenix

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash in a Ladders and Sledgehamer Match

Solace Prediction:
I would like to make an educated guess, but I just simply don’t care about this match. I’m going to say Triple H because he has to prove that he can’t be kept down by simply nearly dying. Winner: Triple H

TheSupremeForce Prediction:
There’s little point for Nash being around at all. Also, if Nash somehow “wins” this match, I’m afraid of some beyond awful Punk vs Nash match at the Rumble. Just thinking about it makes me want to throw up. Winner: Triple H

StephiOC815 Prediction:
The “Ow, my ACL!” Match. I’m actually “excited” to see how this turns out, I <3 train wrecks. Just beacause…Winner: HHH

TheJurn Prediction:
Triple H is taking this, Nash can’t work anymore than one match so he can’t come out on top. Besides that, no one cares so the face’ll win. Winner: Triple H

JayTheBrainMann Prediction:
Does anyone seriously think Triple H will lose a match in 2011? This is, what, his 3rd or 4th match? I’m going with HHH. Winner: Triple H

SirTweets_ALot Predictions:
I think that Kevin Nash is going to climb the ladder, and get the sledgehammer, but I think that SuperHunter will overcome, and win. Winner: Triple H

BizarroDoom Prediction:
There’s no logic behind choosing a winner, here. Nobody needs the win. Nobody is hurt by a loss. I suppose the question is whether or not they want to extend the issue to the Royal Rumble. I’m going to just go out on a limb and say that Nash wins through Nefarious Means and another match takes place in January. Winner: Kevin Nash

Paradise_Lost12 Prediction:
Nash’s return match has been pushed back so many times, I can’t see them continuing this feud, seems as if they have little faith in what he can offer to the company, so I see this match ending in H’s favor and Nash fades back out of the picture again. Winner: Triple H

OWA_Sephiroth Prediction:
WWE have probably changed their mind on keeping Nash, so Triple H will probably take him out, here. Winner: Triple H

MarkBilly Prediction:
Nash is just disastrous in the ring. HHH will use his power to get Taker at Mania again so needs the win. Winner: Triple H

shawndecker Prediction:
Triple H beat Punk last time out… His luck runs out against Nash, who will have some henchmen waiting in the wings. New DX! Winner: Kevin Nash

Yawsrko Prediction:
Nash. Why? Because I don’t like Hunter that much. Will this prediction be wrong? Probably. But I don’t care. Nope. But I will say that I seriously doubt any ladder higher than a stepstool that a pottytraining child might use will be involved. Winner: Kevin Nash

ZackZiggler Prediction:
HHH has to win this, if rags online are true, and the prediction for him to face Taker again at WM. Thinking about it now. If Nash wins then he might face Taker. That would suck we think. Nash just isn’t exciting anymore… We are going with HHH though. Winner: Triple H

Drustuart Prediction:
Nash will claim the s/hammer, not sure how he manages to climb ladder though. Trips will claim the win. Will be painful. Winner: Triple H

Winner: Triple H

Jack Swagger vs. Sheamus

Another unannounced match with two men I love, but I have to admit I was rooting for Swagger. I think it is his time to make it back into the main events.

Winner: Sheamus

Mark Henry vs. Big Show in a Chairs Match

Solace Prediction:
Jack Swagger just recently bragged that Mark Henry has never beat Big Show, but that he has, and that eluded to his feud with Show next, for the title. I think Mark Henry wins to throw a stick in the spokes of this plan. Winner: Mark Henry

TheSupremeForce Prediction:
Henry has to win, or his entire push has been one massive waste of time. Winner: Mark Henry

StephiOC815 Prediction:
I don’t know if I care about these two anymore. So, because I want Henry vs. Bryan at WM…Winner: Henry

TheJurn Prediction:
Mark Henry’s finally going to go over Big Show again, I don’t see why Big Show would win this especially considering how good Henry’s been. Winner: Mark Henry

JayTheBrainMann Prediction:
I’m going with Mark Henry because WWE seems insistent on not letting Show win. (watch me be wrong) Winner: Mark Henry

SirTweets_ALot Prediction:
If they know what’s good for them, Mark Henry. Probably by a World’s Strongest Slam on a chair. Don’t see these 2 on a PPV again after this. Winner: Mark Henry

BizarroDoom Prediction:
I feel safe in assuming that Big Show isn’t coming out of this feud with the title. They’ve stretched this story longer than I expected, but a Mark Henry win, here, seems pretty imminent. Winner: Mark Henry (and still World Champion)

Paradise_Lost12 Prediction:
I just can’t see Show getting the belt at this point, Henry’s been built as a dominant monster, I think we might see Kane in this one, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Bryan cash in as well. Henry would still look good, and have a new feud for 2012. Winner: Mark Henry

OWA_Sephiroth Prediction:
Henry wins after a World’s Strongest Slam onto a set-up of chairs. WINNER: Mark Henry

MarkBilly Prediction:
Think it’s time for Henry to give up title. I expect Kane to make an appearance. Winner: Big Show

shawndecker Prediction:
Mark Henry defeats Big Show. Henry is just too much fun as champion. The Big Show doesn’t need the belt- Henry does. Winner: Mark Henry

Yawsrko Prediction:
FINE…Big Show…put the belt on somebody else who can ONLY FIT IT AROUND THEIR NECK OR WRIST. #WhenDidTheWHCTurnIntoJewelry Winner: Big Show

ZackZiggler Prediction:
We really want to go with Henry… we have no idea how it will happen though. We want Henry to retain all the way to WM28, and face Dbryan. We fear though that BigShow can gain that title tonight. Don’t get us wrong, we like BigShow a lot, but really dig on whats going on with Henry. Winner: Mark Henry

Drustuart Prediction:
I see this being the end of a great feud, can see interference to keep Show looking strong – Kane, Clay or Skip Sheffield? Winner: Henry

Winner: The Big Show

Daniel Bryan vs. The Big Show – Money in the Bank Cash In

Daniel Bryan rushed out to cash in as The Big Show laid unconscious and went for the pin.

Winner: Daniel Bryan 

Cody Rhodes vs. Booker T for the Intercontinental Championship

Solace Prediction:
Ummm…. Ummm… This is the first match EVER where a commentator has stepped into the ring and I’ve been excited to see it. Yes, I know, Booker is a former wrestler himself, but still doesn’t change my shock at wanting to see this. And this could go any way… Ummm… Ummm… Winner: Cody Rhodes

TheSupremeForce Prediction:
Too sudden and not enough build for Booker to be making a full in ring return. Winner: Cody Rhodes

StephiOC815 Prediction:
This could be a fun match. But since it’s for the title, I think Cody keeps it. Can’t see them giving Book a title. Winner: Cody Rhodes

TheJurn Prediction:
Cody Rhodes is going to retain the title, as Booke said himself he will be Cody’s legitimizer and Cody will move on after this. Winner: Cody Rhodes

JayTheBrainMann Prediction:
Sorry Booker, but your prime is gonna get cut down at the Cross Rhodes. (what a crappy pun) Winner: Cody Rhodes

SirTweets_ALot Prediction:
Most people are going to pick Cody. I’m picking Booker, and here’s 2 reasons why. The WWE needs something a little out of the ordinary… And having a commentator be a champion is just that. Also, Cody Rhodes will be a world champ before 2013, and it’s his time to main event. Winner: Booker T

BizarroDoom Prediction:
Let’s be real: Booker isn’t winning the title. The question is whether Cody will get the win or Booker will get a DQ or count-out victory. I expect that WWE will want Cody in the Rumble, so I’ll go ahead and call a Cody win to gain him some credibility, and he moves on to other things. Winner: Cody Rhodes (still I-C Champion)

Paradise_Lost12 Prediction:
Rhodes has been amazing the past few months, and has done wonders for the IC title. I can’t see this awesome reign being ended by Booker, Rhodes is going to hold onto that belt for awhile longer, a win over a veteran like Booker is just gonna make Rhodes look better. Winner: Cody Rhodes

OWA_Sephiroth Prediction:
There are ways to make a Booker win mean something to help Cody, but I don’t see it happening, at least not here. Winner: Cody Rhodes

MarkBilly Prediction:
Think Booker is a good way to propel Cody but making it for the title means it’s obvious who’ll win IMO. Winner: Cody Rhodes

shawndecker Prediction:
Winnerooni! Booker T triumphs by DQ against Cody Rhodes, the Superstar of the Year, who rightfully holds onto his belt. Winner: Booker T

Yawsrko Prediction:
Cody. This is if it’s written properly, bc Booker has too much ring rust. If written improperly and rushed, Booker will win. I have no reason to think it WON’T be rushed–they rushed Cody and Ted’s storyline way too fast–but I’m hoping common sense wins and Cody keeps the belt at *least* through Feb. This of course is to set Goldust’s return up. Winner: Cody Rhodes

ZackZiggler Prediction:
Cody Rhodes all the way. he has been on such a tear for the last year.. After his win over Mysterio at WM27.. he has been almost unstoppable. Do people even care about BookerT??… The only thing we could see is somehow book gets the win, and loses it back to Rhodes Mon/Tues But we will stick with Rhodes. Winner: Cody Rhodes

Drustuart Prediction:
Booker has potential to make Cody look even better. I see Cody getting dubious win to set up SD rematch prior to Rumble. Winner: Rhodes

Winner: Cody Rhodes

CM Punk vs. The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio in a TLC Match for the WWE Championship

Solace Prediction:
They’ve decided Del Rio isn’t as important to them right now with everything else going on and even if The Miz is super angry it’s just going to cloud his reactions. Winner: CM Punk

TheSupremeForce Prediction:
Punk is going to win this one. I’d rather have either guy as Champion, but Punk’s probably going to hold the title at least until Wrestlemania. Winner: CM Punk

StephiOC815 Prediction:
Since they actually did something RIGHT this time and left Punk in the dust at the end of Raw, think Punk keeps it. Can’t see them taking it off Punk this early. Winner: CM Punk

TheJurn Prediction:
CM Punk wins, he’ll back up his claims of the hot potatoe game of the WWE championship being over and he’ll be champ for a while. Winner: CM Punk

JayTheBrainMann Prediction:
Mah boi CM Punk’s gotta win it! Winner: CM Punk

SirTweets_ALot Prediction:
I think WWE is realizing that the title has changed hands about 6 times more than it should have this year. I think this is when ADR gets Buried. Prediction: Good showing by Miz, but CM Punk making ADR tap to the Anaconda Vice. Winner: CM Punk

BizarroDoom Prediction:
This should be the best match of the night, and I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t think there’s any chance of Punk losing the title right now, and that’s the way it should be. But it will be a fun ride with a unique dynamic and creative spots. Can’t wait! Winner: CM Punk (still WWE Champion)

Paradise_Lost12 Prediction:
I’m kinda torn because part of me can see The Miz winning this too, but Punk retaining to me, seems more likely right now. Del Rio doesn’t really have a place in this match, I don’t see him as a potential winner at all, and I don’t think they’re giving it to Miz just yet. Winner: CM Punk

OWA_Sephiroth Prediction:
I don’t see the belt going elsewhere so soon. It’s staying around the waist of the “Best In The World.” Winner: CM Punk

MarkBilly Prediction:
Surely WWE can’t mess up his push? Oh wait, who am I kidding?! Winner: CM Punk

shawndecker Prediction:
CM Punk can not lose his title again. Not to Del Rio. That would make no sense. At all. It can’t happen. Please. No. Right? Winner: CM Punk

Yawsrko Prediction:
Miz. Because nobody else thinks Miz is going to do it. Winner: The Miz

ZackZiggler Prediction:
How can Punk not retain?! R-Truth return and put Miz through a table? Starting that Feud… and Del Rio… ummm.. bitching about destiny? Has it been 30 days?? on 27… so perhaps not… Winner: CM Punk

Drustuart Prediction:
TLC match has great potential, all 3 prepared to put body on line. Would be poor booking taking title from Punk so early. MOTN. Winner: Punk

Good job to StephiOC815, JayTheBrainMann, Paradise_Lost12, OWA_Sephiroth, and MarkBilly for getting 5 of 6 correct! Congratulations to our new title holder, OWA_Sephiroth, for guessing closest to the main event time and breaking the tie! We’ll see you next PPV to defend!

 

Main Event Length:
Solace: 23:47

BizarroDoom: 22:17

StephiOC815: 25:00

Yawsrko: 27

SirTweets_ALot: 23

Paradise_Lost12: 35

TheSupremeForce: 31

JayTheBrainMann: 10

Markbilly: 24

TheJurn: 26

OWA_Sephiroth: 23:36

ZackZiggler: 28:12

shawndecker: 25:12

Drustuart: 28:34

 

PG Era

On twitter one of the constant things I see is people saying that the PG rating has ruined everything. To me it sounds like a reason for people to complain because the can not see exactly what they want on their screen.

As I’ve stated before, I have a short-term memory when it comes to wrestling. I may not in everything else, but if it happened over a year and a half ago in wrestling I tend to wash it away. There is no point in dwelling in the past because the present will never be the past. If I do remember it that means it was either epic or it is something I’ve seen repeated within a year.

I will never be that person who says, “The Attitude Era was so much better,” because it’s over. It is time to appreciate what you have in front of you. What has PG really changed that is so bad? Does PG really effect the storylines? Should they not be able to stand on their own without a rating? Sure, some of the stories lately have been bad, but is that a fault of PG or is that a fault of the writers?

PG means less blatant sexual innuendoes. There is still sexual content, Kelly Kelly barely wears anything when she goes out to wrestle and Aksana is pretty much propositioning Teddy Long. Even on NXT Derrick Bateman and Maxine are kissing on a regular basis in which he usually reacts like he could be dragging her to the mat for reasons more fun than wrestling O’Neil for the twelfth time.

PG means less swearing. Steve Austin ends up being bleeped during Wrestlemania and people are a little shocked when Young calls McCool and Layla, “bitches and sluts”. That is a good thing. People should be shocked to hear it, not because the words themselves are as offensive as they once were but so it doesn’t number people to hearing the same thing every week. Having Cena bleeped as he calls people “douche bags” is entertaining enough. The young ones might not know what he said and the older ones can laugh because, “Oh My God did he just say that?”

So what do others think when it comes to the PG era?

@yawsrko

Yeah, I think it does make an impact on the quality…by no longer catering and appealing to the lowest common denominator. By this, every time I see someone scream that they “WANT THE ATTITUDE ERA BACK!”, it’s because they’re missing profanity and partial nudity and not the stories. I don’t care -what- they say otherwise. I also find it funny that in the IWC, many who want the Attitude Era back weren’t even *alive* for it the first time around. Or if they were, they were in diapers. Hey, kids..just because you think it looks “cool” on YouTube doesn’t mean it was great the first time around. Sincerely, Somebody Who Was There And Unimpressed. P.S. I don’t think pools of blood are required either. Look at Ric Flair these days. Look at him cross-eyed and he’ll bleed. Besides obvious risks that bleeding/being in contact w/somebody else’s blood has, that health-wise, we’re more educated about nowadays (simply look at the RKO/Taker angle from ’06, I think it was. Cowboy Bob bled on both of them and he carries hepatitis)..there’s no need to blade anymore. Blading has gone the way of 8-track tape players and big, heavy TVs w/tubes. The industry as a whole has evolved. And that’s not a bad thing.

@TheSupremeForce

PG or not PG?
It doesn’t make much of a difference. Sure, there’s less blood and less profanity, and divas like Kelly Kelly can’t earn a living as a broom-shaped stripper, but those differences have little to do with the successes and failures of the current product.

Blood is overrated. Seeing it all the time results in becoming desensitized to it. Look at how big of a deal Cody’s recent bloodbath became due solely to it not happening in a long time. That’s the way it should be. I’m not anti-blood exactly, but it means more if it’s saved for big moments (as opposed to the way Flair uses it, ie after a sneeze).

Crude jokes were rarely funny anyway. Rampant homophobia needed to be cut out of the product, especially once the WWE started pretending to give a flying crap about issues like bullying.

Obnoxious diva matches featuring pudding or spanking weren’t really the answer either. Of course, the division really isn’t that much better these days, but at least it’s not constantly degrading toward women (emphasis on constantly).

The WWE has its share of problems, some of them major, but being PG is not one of them. The people running around crying about the injustices of a PG product are either naïve or complete idiots. Didn’t the WWE go PG before the much beloved and constantly overrated “Attitude Era” even ended?

Look at it this way. At least Kelly Kelly isn’t taking off her clothing for the enjoyment of six year olds anymore.

@Paradise_Lost12

WWE’s PG rating, it’s something that has gotten an awful lot of criticism over the years, and some have made the bold claim that it’s even ruined the WWE product. A lot of people want the Attitude Era back, they want the edginess and that same spark. These however, are likely the same people that condemn any company or performer that does something that has already been done. What made the Attitude Era great was that it was new, it was different and it was giving us something we had never seen before. It was never going to last forever, it had to run its course eventually and when it did, it left the WWE with an aged fan-base, many of which turned away when guys like The Rock and Steve Austin walked away from wrestling for their own reasons. So WWE had to do something to draw in new viewers, and they opted to market themselves to a younger fan base. Now WWE is a company first and foremost, and marketing themselves in that way was a good move, because those kids? They’re hooked on guys like Cena and Orton, and they’re going to stay interested for a long time, and watching wrestling as a kid? It’s hardly as odd as someone older watching pro wrestling, for whatever reason there seems to be this standpoint that you have to outgrow it after awhile. When you look at the crowd though, yes there are several children and families, but it doesn’t mean that they’ve shunned their older fans away. Has the PG rating changed their content? Of course, you look at what was done before the PG rating and now, there’s several things that have changed. Has it changed drastically? I don’t think it has, in fact the difference between PG and PG-14 is all in the wording.

The TV-PG rating may be accompanied by one or more of the following sub-ratings:
D for some suggestive dialogue
L for infrequent coarse language
S for some sexual situations
V for moderate violence

Parents are strongly urged to exercise greater care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children under 14 watch unattended. This rating may be accompanied by any of the following sub-ratings:
D for strong suggestive dialogue
L for strong coarse language
S for intense sexual situations
V for intense violence

Oh, Wikipedia is awesome, took me no time at all to look that up. Now the dialogue has changed, but lets face it we still get our dose of corny innuendo from Cena, it’s just toned down from what a guy like the Rock could get away with. Well lets face it, the Rock can still get away with it. Other than that, has the dialogue really changed that much, that we can say it’s really hurt the business? Especially after CM Punk’s shoot promo a few months back, there may not have been anything suggestive, but it was hardly the kind of rant we’re used to hearing on WWE programming. It’s that reason that I think the PG rating has actually helped the business, because now when something like that happens? It actually means something, it actually comes as a surprise rather than when WWE was trying to push the boundaries every week. Toning down the product lets those kind of moments shine brighter, if Punk’s rant happened in the Attitude Era, it wouldn’t have gotten the response it did, CM Punk wouldn’t have been the hottest thing going in the business last Summer. I think that’s an aspect of things people don’t look at, and they feel  as if they should deliver that every week, but WWE simply can’t do that every week. After a couple of months, it would lose that edge, what made it exciting would be gone and you’d be back to craving something different. Tying into dialogue is the second aspect of what makes PG different from PG-14, coarse language. Alright, this I feel makes no major difference in the product overall. We can all tell what word should go where, but they’ve gotta stick to the guidelines, and does it really make a difference? Seriously, what words even get left out? Ron Simmons said “Damn” every week, we hear “Ass” every time Mark Henry comes down to the ring, we get a very clear “Bitch” when Triple H comes to the ring. Yes the last two are in theme songs, but they aren’t exactly hidden, and those words have been used in promos, but I don’t recall promos word for word and couldn’t tell you the last time they were said by a competitor or announcer. So really, what words are we missing from our dialogue? I can think of one or two, but they’re words that I don’t even think saw much, if any, light in the PG-14 days, so once again what have we really lost here? In my opinion not much.

Sexual situations, alright now there is a notable lack of these in the business these days, but does it leave a hollow hole in the product? I don’t think so, in fact it seems as if the on air relationships have really taken a backseat the last year or so, Edge and Vicki being the last one I remember and even then there was a suggestive bit with a wedding planner or something, wasn’t there? Edge also gave us the live sex celebration, WWE was PG when that happened right? I think so, if I remember it, it couldn’t have been that long ago. Then again, Lita was involved and severely lacked clothing, so that might be why the memory has stuck around. Anyway, got sidetracked there for a moment, but no one can deny the lack of sexual situations involved in pro wrestling. They certainly haven’t stayed away from keeping sex appeal in the Diva’s division, I mean if Kelly Kelly wore any less clothing she’d be wrestling naked, you’ve got cleavage left right and center, the Bella’s do their little dance on the stage, there is almost always some form of spanking in a Diva’s match. For the ladies, you have John Morrison, that is your sex appeal, they don’t just play to us. Oh and you have Cody Rhodes, the man is dashing after all. Alright, I’ve managed to name drop Cody Rhodes, I feel accomplished now. Anyway, sexual situations are lacking in WWE these days, but it’s far from being pure, wholesome entertainment in that regard as well. Edge kept it alive for awhile, but lets face it there aren’t really any characters that fit those sorts of actions right now. I also just remembered a little bit of interaction with the Bella’s and Del Rio from a few weeks ago, that was mildly suggestive for a like, a minute long segment. Huh, maybe there is a character after all.

Wait, did I just compare Del Rio to Edge? If I did, I might need to kill myself.

And the final aspect of this is the violence, and perhaps the only one that actually bothers me about the PG Rating. Now, the chair shots to the head ban is part of the Benoit fallout, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t miss them. But the lack of blood? That is thanks to the PG rating, now I don’t think people should bleed every match or anything like that, but at the same time, I always thought blood added to the story of the match. Imagine something like Cena and Umaga’s match without the restriction on blood, Umaga could have looked like more of a monster, Cena’s win would have been more impressive because it would have just been another thing for him to overcome in the end. It takes away from matches at times, I’m really glad they seem to have dropped the idea of stopping the match to patch a person up on the outside. I know they did that once and I wanna say it was a ECW Title match between Christian and Benjamin, and it was stupid, even more-so because it was a ladder match and there was nothing really stopping the guy from going up and just grabbing the title. I think one day, we’re going to reach a point where WWE might be willing to add blood to matches very sparingly, because once again if we’re not seeing it in excess, when it does happen? It’s going to mean something. I’d love to see someone like Henry go out and absolutely destroy someone and leave them a bloody mess in the ring, it would add to his reputation. Then of course we get situations like we did on Smackdown a couple of weeks ago, where they found every camera angle possible to hide the fact Cody Rhodes was bleeding, but made no attempt to hide the stitched up wound and have even used it to fuel his feud with Orton. It’s as if WWE wants to add that element back into their product, but are hesitant in doing so because of the possible backlash from angry parents. Well we’re in a generation where 12 year olds are playing GTA, watching Saw movies and all those other glorious gory films. I don’t think a little bit of blood in your matches is really going to make a huge difference in what people think of your product, now if they can HAVE blood under the PG rating I’m not sure. Orton manages to find ways to bleed now and then and they don’t cut away from that, so perhaps it just can’t be in excessive amounts. Even looking beyond the blood aspect of things, the No-DQ and Last Man Standing matches aren’t what they once were, they aren’t bad by any means, but the range of weapons has certainly changed and there’s a notable lack of your average household items being used these days. I guess they don’t want Little Jimmy cracking Little Jenny with that cookie sheet sitting in the kitchen drawer. Oh and lets not forget the ending to Hell in a Cell, it wasn’t the most violent thing we’ve ever seen, but it got your attention, it made you stop and actually watch because Miz and Truth basically destroyed everyone in sight. They used weapons, it was still PG but I at least, still found it entertaining.

Looking at the four points of what makes PG and PG-14 what they are, the differences are there, they have to be notable to some extent for the rating to change at all. I don’t think it’s bad for business, I actually think what they’ve done is working for them. Does the company have room to grow? Are there things I’d like to see them do differently? Yes and yes. However when I sit down to watch Raw, or a PPV, I don’t expect to be disappointed. In fact, I’d say more often than not I’ve been very happy with what they’ve done recently. WWE is making money off their merchandise, the fan base may not be what they catered to years ago, but it’s making them money. They get to sell a bunch of action figures, various things that lets face it, no adult would buy for themselves. Those people that hate on the PG era, the people that want that spark back need to accept that it’s not coming back. If you watch their product with an open mind, it’s not bad and you can appreciate that while the company has changed the way it works, they’ve found a way to produce a solid product. So no, I don’t think the move to PG has hurt WWE at all. Any time they find themselves suffering in ratings or buy rates, I think it’s their booking, when they reach those points where the main event is just something we’ve seen so many times in the past. Like seriously, do you think people wanted to watch Christian vs Orton five or six times in a row? I like Christian, but even I wanted him out of the title picture by the third match. It’s  not what their rating is, it’s what they do with their product within that rating that matters. WWE has proven they can do some very entertaining stuff while keeping PG, they’ve shown a willingness to appeal to everyone and bring back some of that old spark. If you look at their roster, they’ve got people that appeal to older fans, and guys that appeal to younger fans. They try to keep as many people happy as they can, naturally not everyone can be happy with every move they make, but they do what they can. So yes, PG does change the elements of WWE to an extent, but I don’t think it hurts the overall product greatly in the end, and I’m not one of the ones pushing them to go back to PG-14.

Was Change Really What We Wanted?

The biggest topics of conversation through the WWE of late have been CM Punk and Triple H. To be honest, I have a short term memory when it comes to wrestling. I do this for a reason. People’s styles change and their stories change. I want to like, or hate, a wrestler for what they are at this moment and not what they did years ago. Or else I might question my love for Dolph Ziggler more if I focus heavily on the Spirit Squad days. While at the same time Zack Ryder has only improved upon his character since he was having daydreams of Rose Mendes on ECW.

CM Punk was the villain, because we know that living your life against alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs could not be something we want to teach our children. CM Punk was the villain until he decided he deserved better than how he was being treated. He wanted to be not just A guy but THE guy.

CM Punk found his voice in July and became “The Voice of the Voiceless,” but then quickly just became “A voice”. Once CM Punk became a main eventer he began to lose focus on the change because he had what he wanted. Now instead of being the voice for those that the WWE was not listening to his real focus came into play; himself. It was always about CM Punk.

Now, I’ve said time and again I’m not an expert on wrestling. So when my friends turn and say he’s “sloppy” in the ring I will shrug and say, “If you say so,” because I don’t tend to notice. If I do notice an error in wrestling it’s probably a really bad sign (I’m looking at you Alex Riley). I can only say if I enjoy someone in the ring and if I enjoy the character I’m seeing on the screen.

I do not enjoy CM Punk any longer. In the ring or on the microphone. I’ve heard this speech before. Please move on.

In mentioning CM Punk I would be remiss if I left out Triple H. Triple H is the man the fans want to see. I do not care how many people complain about Triple H, I’ve been one of them. As I stated in an earlier blog he is the one with the most cheers. He’s the one still in the top 10 merchandise sales even without a new shirt. He never fully left the minds of the fans.

I have less thoughts on Triple H than I would like to. When he walks in I don’t feel excitement, but I don’t feel ire. I don’t scream his name but there is no desire to boo him. He does not bore me but he does not make me want to tune in for him. It’s complete apathy when it comes to Triple H. I wish I had stronger feelings about it because I would love to discuss it with a reasonable head, but I can’t. When people bring him up in anger I want to defend him, but when they bring up in some celebratory manner I want to tell them where to stick it. Never have I felt so conflicted on an entertainer within the WWE and it makes me feel I’m a horrible judge to talk about him in depth.

Which is why I turned to my favorite lot of wrestling fans and asked them their opinions on CM Punk and Triple H.

@yawsrko on CM Punk

Face turns always make me scrunch my nose, roll my eyes, and make me unable to give any fucks. After Luke Gallows was released and the Straight Edge Society seemed to disband w/o any real closure to the storyline, I sort of really didn’t care about Punk anymore.

Then what happened in July didn’t really change your mind about him?

I already didn’t care. Sure, I got a few chuckles when he’d sit in the middle of the ring cross-legged, but he wasn’t my reason for watching. Basically.. he entertained me, and it’s no fault of his own that Serena and Luke got released, but I felt Creative treated us like idiots. Not giving any closure/explanation to a storyline that was watchworthy.

On Triple H

Ever since Hunter fired off that line of “I’m not Hunter, I’m your boss,” I’ve had a hope that he chokes on a bowl of *censored*. There’s so much (awesome) truth to Miz calling HHH a hhhypocrite. I am so over Hunter it’s not funny. Why does he get new merch when he barely wrestles? Why can’t another guy who works his ass off get opportunities? I see HHH as the next Hogan. Where he doesn’t know when to knock it the hell off.

@TheSupremeForce thoughts on CM Punk

I’ve been a fan of CM Punk for years, with my favorite “era” being during the Straight Edge Society days. Sure, Punk jobbed constantly, but his character was fantastic. Also, I kind of miss Gallows and Serena.
The “New” Nexus was crap.
Punk’s “shoot” promo was highly entertaining, and I was firmly behind him during his “I’m leaving” match against Cena, but I loathe Cena, so take that for what it’s worth. Since Punk’s return, all he’s really done is spend a lot of time repeating himself on EVERY show. He’s become increasingly hypocritical, and generally started to turn into John Cena. At this point, it appears that the “change” Punk wanted was to be CM Cena. Congrats.
I keep hearing people blame everyone else for Punk’s perceived failure at becoming the #1 guy, but the reality is that he was never taking the spot, nor does he deserve it.

Thoughts on Triple H

Triple H receives a lot of hate from “internet fans.” That’s nothing new. I’ll admit that I’m a long time fan of the guy, but I’ll admit that he does tend to eat up too much television time, especially since he’s not an active competitor. If Triple H wanted to return to a (nearly) full time schedule, I’d say go for it. But I don’t like hypocritical, pander obnoxiously to the fans Triple H. Make it stop. Please.

A lot of people have accused Triple H of “burying” CM Punk during their brief feud that brought zero closure. Maybe he did. That being said, I don’t care. Once Punk started spouting off his lame ass “shoots” every week, it opened the door for people to respond in kind. If CM Punk can’t out talk Triple H in that sort of environment, screw Punk.

The fact remains that Triple H is vastly more popular than CM Punk right now. Punk was unable to do anything about it, leaving me to conclude that Punk is really a lot of bark with little actual substance behind his words. Triple H tends to sound like a knob lately, as well, so it’s not like he’d even set the bar all that high.

I certainly haven’t been watching Raw in order to see either guy. The WWE has been doing a lot of things well recently, but that wasn’t one of them.

@MarkBilly on CM Punk

If you look on the internet, the internet will gladly impart the wisdom that FacePunk is much like the man behind CM Punk, he is Straight-Edge but isn’t militant like HeelPunk. However FacePunk and HeelPunk are as close to the man behind Punk as Viscera is compared to ‘CM Punk’ of now.

The fact is CM Punk hasn’t been seen in WWE for the past few months, the man masquerading as CM Punk has been Phil Brooks. The smarter ones will know Phil Brooks IS CM Punk but until now the reverse hasn’t been true.

Starting with THAT promo CM Punk has gone and Phil Brooks stands in his place. Everything PhilPunk has said in the past few months has been from the heart of Phil Brooks (with a little added WWE glitter). PhilPunk shook wrestling and the aftershocks are still working their way through WWE, but to think that this is new for CM Punk is wrong. The highlights of his promo are nothing different to past work by CM Punk. He used the ‘in my hands this microphone is a pipebomb’ line in Ring of Honor. In his closing days of his ROH stint he threatened to walk out with the ROH belt to WWE, in fact he did leave the building with the belt when faced with a challenger (though he did return to defend, and relinquish, the belt, he didn’t (kayfabe) leave the company).

The idea of trying to change things isn’t new either, when TNA stopped its talent from wrestling with ROH Punk tried to persuade then champion and fellow ROH buddy AJ Styles to speak up and resist, he hypothesised that if the ‘ROH guys’ stuck together they would be allowed to continue wrestling for ROH.

So history tells us that nothing overly new is occurring, so why is it only now that it has any effect? Simple – scale. I don’t know the viewing figures for WWE but a live WWE mic puts you in more auditory canals than a ROH mic does or no mic at all and that is a big factor. To paraphrase Biffy Clyro, PhilPunk wants to affect a change, with voice and electrical noises. The self appointed (and universally approved) Voice Of The Voiceless now has the electrical noises and is sending billions of volts surging around WWE. He’s popular because he’s saying what a lot of people think and is doing what Styles failed to do, using his position to speak up. Ten million hands on keyboards have nothing on one live mic.

To summarise, I think Punk’s character and current angle is great, it’s been waiting to happen in WWE for a long time. Long may it continue, but just to be sure, shovels at the ready because a microphone doesn’t work if it’s buried, the faster the dig, the faster we get our Voice back.

Now I really should put my immortality potion in the fridge before it goes off…

On Triple H

Triple H needs to decide whether he wants to be a wrestler or an authority figure, and when he does he better start doing a good job at it. There’s no place for an authority figure that sucks up to the crowd and there’s no place for a face Triple H.

Triple H is still doing the things he has done throughout his career that stops him from getting the respect he would like. Triple H would sell his own children to get what he wants (before you start stalking his house Angelina Jolie, I’m joking… I think).

Triple H started from the bottom as Hunter Hearst Helmsley, few would argue that he did well and was destined to shine once he ditched the terrible gimmick he was stuck with. This was not good enough for him though and he destroyed anyone who might stop him getting to the top.

Now he’s COO he doesn’t need to be liked, Vince McMahon never needed to be, his sole job should be to put over his talent. His past glories and WWE Universe’s belief that he can bring back the hallowed Attitude era mean he’ll be honoured and respected. Unless he is going to be hypocritical he needs to use this for the company’s benefit, not his own. The sarcastic comments he makes after one of ‘his talent’ speaks makes people forget what that talent said and a lot of the time they have a very good point.

For example, Wade Barrett spoke on Raw this week, one of the best up and coming mic men in the business according to just about everybody… Who remembers what he said? I only have a vague recollection of subject and remember that he delivered a fabulous speech but Triple H took all the heat and momentum out of Barrett with the smarmy remark about the Nexus, all of which occurred whilst Triple H was injured, not on WWE TV and before the position of COO was ever imagined. It left people wondering why he brought it up, rather than basking in the wonderful words of Wade Barrett.

Many men have tried to go on too long and tarnished their legacy, Michael Schumacher (google him), Ronaldo (google him), Bret Favre (you probably won’t need to google him).

Triple H is in danger of doing this, I have never been a fan of his but that doesn’t mean I want him to ruin his legacy.

It will be interesting to see what this vote of no confidence brings about in WWE and how Triple H reacts to it.

Which group will Triple H join – Armstrong, Lauda, Favre (2nd comeback) or Leonard, Borg, Favre (1st comeback)?