Deconstructing the Road to WrestleMania XXX

Ready or not, the “Grand Daddy of Them All” is right around the corner. It is one of the biggest entertainment spectacles of the year. No matter what, WrestleMania 30 will go down in the record books, as it is the first PPV that will air on the WWE Network. One would speculate that there were a handful fans on the fence about ordering the network, basing their decision on how compelling Wrestlemania’s card is. This, of course, put a lot of pressure on the creative department because they had to create enough anticipation. Has creative done its job? Aaron Glazer, former Inside Pulse and New York Examiner expert, will be joining me to find out.

Andre The Giant 30 Man Battle Royal

Aaron Glazer: There is no build. It is a payday for some extra dudes, and I'd be shocked if Big Show didn't win.

Kyle Fitta: I think a heel should win, to be honest.

Aaron Glazer: Sure, but if they are pretending to honor Andre, Show wins. Big E is their biggest project besides, but there is no good heel in the match.

Kyle Fitta: There are not really any quality heels in this yet, but winning it is the kind of thing that could kick start a push. The winner could come out every week with his trophy and brag to no end. Think King of the Ring without the accessories.

Aaron Glazer: Yeah, I do not think they are doing that. Well, I will pick the Show to win.

Kyle Fitta: It is difficult to book a battle royal well. What they ought to do is hire Pat Patterson for one night. He did, after all, book some of the all-time classic Rumbles. I will give them some credit, though, for intertwining some of the midcard subplots into this battle royal. At the very least, it has made it seem like more than just an afterthought or complete filler. Since my idea probably will not happen, I guess I will pick Big Show too.

Aaron Glazer: I think it opens the show proper with the 8pm slot going to Bryan H.

Tag Team Title Match: Usos (c) vs. Real Americans vs. Ryaxel

Aaron Glazer: It has been said, but this should either be one on one or Real Americans should be in the Shield match and New Age Outlaws should be here.

Kyle Fitta: Do you really want to see another Usos vs. New Age Outlaws match?

Aaron Glazer: Let it be a three-way with RyAxel.

Kyle Fitta: Ugh. Even worse.

Aaron Glazer: Sure, but then the USOs win and we get a better, more important Shield match.

Kyle Fitta: I believe Usos vs. Real Americans would have been better on its own. They could’ve had a memorable undercard match if given the time. They still could, but Ryaxel is going to do either drag this down or, worse, make it a clusterfrick.

Aaron Glazer: If we get any kind of turn, though, this match is it. I can see Cesaro going face here.

Kyle Fitta: I could see Jack Swagger getting a Wrestlemania caliber swing by Cesaro.

Aaron Glazer: That makes sense, but more likely they are just in this match to get everyone on the show and because Hunter's friends, the NAO, get the more high profile match. Also, Cesaro's turn would be far more over at the smark heavy Raw after crowd.

Kyle Fitta: That is possible, kind of like last year with Dolph Ziggler.

(Kyle Fitta's Notes: Los Matadors have been added to this match. It is now probably going to be a spotfest in order to get the crowd into the show right away.)

Kane and New Age Outlaws vs. Shield

Aaron Glazer: This won't be good, but the Shield are so over it won't matter. They're getting huge reactions and will win.

Kyle Fitta: The main objective seems be to establish the Shield in their new roles by giving them a win over the evil authority.

Aaron Glazer: I'm really impressed with Roman Reigns. That dude is being booked perfectly and has "it" in spades.

Kyle Fitta: He has really maintained his mystique. That is for sure.

Aaron Glazer: He got over several major spots; that is never easy. I mean, very few people have more than two over spots.

Kyle Fitta: That is true. To be honest, though, I just hope the NAO are done wrestling after this. Their antiquated offense, poor selling, and inability to make their opponents look good is reprehensible. The Usos and Rhodes Family both lost more credibility than gained by feuding with them. They were fun in their time, but that ship has sailed. (Speaking of the Rhodes family, why are they only in the Battle Royal? They have been one of the best tag teams of the past six months. They should be in something more important.)

Aaron Glazer: They served a purpose. Now they can go away.

The Battle For Legacy:Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena

Aaron Glazer: There's no way in hell Cena loses, but this will get a lot of time as a star-making performance.

Kyle Fitta: I am split on who is winning this one. It could go either way.

Aaron Glazer: I find it hard to believe Cena dropped from the main event to job.

Kyle Fitta: Aside from its minor blemishes – particularly Cena calling Wyatt a Jimmy Buffet rip-off one week to being afraid of him the next – this feud has been really well done.

Aaron Glazer: I like it too, but there is no way Wyatt is winning.

Kyle Fitta: Cena has little, if anything, to gain from this. He is at a point of his career where he is not going to lose any credibility from doing a job. Conversely, Bray Wyatt could really benefit from a win here; it could solidify him as big deal and boost him to a higher plateau. Cena winning would be a satisfying moment for all of his fans, but the more Bray's character has developed, the more depth he has been able to add to it. Now is not the appropriate time to decelerate his momentum.

Aaron Glazer: Cena rarely loses, therefore his losses always mean something. I do not think Bray is quite there yet. Remember that even Punk barely got wins over Cena. Never really wholly clean.

Kyle Fitta: Well, Wyatt is trying to reveal all of the evilness in this world. He believes that if he exposed the most righteous person in the promotion as being evil, it would be a monumental step in the right direction. Almost in every perceivable way, the story’s developments would be more refreshing if Wyatt were to win. Maybe he is not “there” yet, but a win over Cena could very possibly elevate him to that *top-tier* level.

Aaron Glazer: Sure, but since when does story override politics?

Kyle Fitta: Cena has been willing to do jobs in the past. I don't have the records to prove my case, but I'd go on a limb by saying he's has the closest win/loss ratio than any other figurehead in the past. Plus, Wyatt does not have to win clean either. I do not think it would matter if his henchmen caused a distraction. Either way, it is not as if Cena cannot recover from a loss. He is essentially bulletproof. 

Aaron Glazer: I agree on all except that Cena just doesn't job often. I mean, in the past 3-5 years? All I can think of are Bryan (clean), Orton (not clean), and Punk (semi-clean). Well and Rock, but whatever. If he loses too weirdly, though, it does nothing for Bray.

Kyle Fitta: It does not have to be fluky.  Just a small distraction.

 Aaron Glazer: This is Wrestlemania. I'll take the Cena win in a better match than anyone expects.

Kyle Fitta: Wyatt is so good at staying in character while he wrestles. It is one of many reasons that he is better than most at portraying a psychopath. He is good in the ring, too, especially for someone his size. He can also move around the ring, bump, and sell. And he can pace and call a match as well.  Cena, on the other hand, is great at making his significant matches feel very dramatic and special. There is no doubt in my mind that these two could really put on something very good. I will pick Bray Wyatt to win, extending the feud.

Streak vs. The Beast: Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar

Aaron Glazer: I'm worried about this one. Does Taker still have it?

Kyle Fitta: I feel like we all question if Taker can have another great match every year. Somehow, he finds a way to have one. He has brought his A-game to just about every Mania since WM 23. 

Aaron Glazer: He was in the best match last year, but it was hardly his A-game. And only one person has gotten good out of Brock since his return.

Kyle Fitta: I count two out of three.

Aaron Glazer: HHH was terrible; Cena was okay, but not more than solid.

Kyle Fitta: I thought Cena-Lesnar was excellent, plus CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar was arguably WWE’s best match of that year.

Aaron Glazer: It was fun; it was an epic whopping, but the quality was just the entertainment factor of Brock kicking ass.

Kyle Fitta: Lesnar’s body language and mannerisms were just on that night. He came so much across like an ass-kicker. It was also one of those completely unpredictable fights, wherein anything could happen at any time. It had a real unique feel to it if you watched it live.

Aaron Glazer: Somehow, I don't see Taker just getting his ass kicked for a whole match.

Kyle Fitta: Well, one thing is for sure, the buildup has not created any anticipation for it whatsoever. The decision to build Lesnar as a meek underdog is preposterous. WWE likes to book things as even-steven as possible, which means the wrestler that dominates the encounters leading to the match typically loses. WWE seems to be trying to use reverse psychology with Lesnar being dominated to set up the idea that he might actually win. Nobody is buying it, though. The feud’s other dilemma is it lacks a story-arc – merely because of both being off TV for a while — therefore the feud has come across as excessively forced. They should have simply built Brock as a cocky bruiser, snickering right in Taker’s face during their promos, and then had him demolish Taker more than anyone has in history.

Aaron Glazer: So, subpar build and then a disappointing match?

Kyle Fitta: I think the match could deliver. Both can bring it. They would have been better with different opponents. Lesnar has no chance of winning nor does he need the rub. Plus, there’s no sugarcoating the build. It has been nothing less than stellar.

This One's Personal: Daniel Bryan vs. HHH

Kyle Fitta: This is most intense, heated, and well-developed story on the card, right?

Aaron Glazer:  Oh, absolutely. This should also be match of the night with relative ease unless something else overperforms.

Kyle Fitta: I am glad that they did not prematurely have Bryan win the title or physically outshine HHH. Preserving both for the biggest show of the year will make them both way more significant.

Aaron Glazer:  I really hope they don't overbook this. As a straight match, this can be special.

 Kyle Fitta: HHH has really been bringing the goods over the past couple of weeks, especially with his scheme to get the best of Bryan.  His old school, NWA-esque beatdown was not only awesome, but it also re-established his virtuously malicious Authority character, in addition to making Bryan come off sympathetic as hell. It will be a prodigious moment when Hunter gets his comeuppance that he absolutely deserves, if booked correctly. HHH has a good performance left in him, and who greater to get it out of him than the best wrestler in the world.

Aaron Glazer: He should have been pure heel sooner, but that is really the worst I can say about this. Everyone marked out and freaked at various points in this story.

Kyle Fitta: The Authority angle has had its inconsistencies, but it has accomplished one of its most important jobs, which was making Daniel Bryan a more sympathetic and more liked wrestler than he was before.

Aaron Glazer: He is a superstar.

Kyle Fitta: That leads us, of course, to the main event.

WWE Championship Match: Randy Orton vs. Batista vs HHH or Daniel Bryan

Aaron Glazer: Batista is winning. He'll be a huge heel by the time this is done.

Kyle Fitta: So, you think WWE should book something that screws Bryan over again?

Aaron Glazer: Should? Not at all, but I've been watching for... good lord, 25-years now. I'd be shocked if they don't.

Kyle Fitta: A good portion of Bryan’s fans would lose hope if he fails to get his shining moment on the biggest stage of them all, especially after 8 months of coming oh-so-close. The iron is blistering. It is the hottest it has ever been. There is no need to get cute here. They just need to do the right thing.

Aaron Glazer: I think beating H will be his moment.

Kyle Fitta: Bryan can kill two birds with one stone: He can give HHH the beatdown that he has owed him forever and then win the title all in the same night, proving that the Authority’s opinion of him is false. It shall be both Bryan and the fans’ definitive moment, as good finally conquers evil.

Aaron Glazer: That'd be fantastic... and I really hope so given that he's been my favorite since early ROH.

Kyle Fitta:  Batista winning would just generate the wrong heat. It would lead “Daniel Bryan” chants marring practically every show moving forward. Fans optimism will be either very low or nonexistent. WWE would just be booking themselves in a corner for no reason.

Closing Thoughts:

Kyle Fitta:  So, overall, what do you think of this Wrestlemania from top to bottom?

Aaron Glazer: It's great. The Bryan story is compelling. Bray has a star-making match with Cena. Brock-Taker is at least compelling, and the Rise of Reigns is awesome. I love all of this.

Kyle Fitta: Could the card be better? Absolutely. But I could say that just about every Wrestlemania. It has never been about putting together a supercard, to be honest.  The show is more of a spectacle than anything else. I mean, there have only been one or two stacked WM cards in history. This, compared to the others, has an above-average looking card. It will not be an all-time classic or anything. But I see it ranging from good to very good.

(Kyle Fitta's Notes: Glazer and I forgot to address the Divas match. It's certainly just a way for people to receive their WM payday. I heard a rumor that Brie Bella will win, then celebrate with her man at the end of the show. Sure, why not?)

A special thanks to Aaron Glazer for joining me.