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The Sporting News: Who is likely to challenge Brock Lesnar at WM?


In my newest Sporting News column, I examine the odds of various people challenging the Beast should, say, an airplane fall on Roman Reigns and manage to penetrate his flak jacket.  

Comments

  1. Rock Vs Roman, Brock vs Bryan.


    Book It!

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  2. I just don't think Roman is the guy.

    It's not the Rock either, though. That's for damn sure.

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  3. CM Punk is more like 100000 to 1.

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  4. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighAugust 23, 2014 at 6:28 PM

    Like that a lot. Would LOVE it if it was Hollywood Rock coming back.

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  5. Not sure I see the point in Reigns if you're just going to have Cena end Brock's reign next month, which I know Scott thinks will happen. Beating Brock is only really meaningful (in the "make this guy with a victory" way) one time. Once Cena beats Brock, he's back to just another guy who Cena overcame the odds against, and there's no longer a reign of terror to end.

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  6. cowardwhotriedtoquitAugust 23, 2014 at 6:53 PM

    I always thought the speculation was that Brock would crush Bryan at Summerslam with Cena winning the title at Wrestlemania; was there a real argument that Bryan would ever go over Lesnar (let alone beat him in their first match)?


    Surprised (unless I just missed it) Scott didn't wonder whether Lesnar would even have the title at Wrestlemania (given his "Rocky III" post).


    The "Heyman guy" dynamic is enough for Lesnar-Punk (meaning it doesn't need the title), but I'm not sure WWE thinks it would attract a broad cross section of its fans, as Lesnar's biggest fans tend to be Punk fans and vice versa, as opposed to the clash of eras with Rock-Lesnar. I don't think he's coming back, but the cognitive dissonance would be glorious.


    Assuming he's healthy and that WWE believes in him (vs. saying "yeah, he's just too injury prone"), how does Bryan storyline wise get to Lesnar? His main issue has been with the Authority, with beating HHH at Wrestlemania more of a highlight (in my opinion) than winning the title. He was "injured" by Corporatedemonkane, and Stephanie has continued going after his wife, including Claire Lynch II: The Second One. Yes, in theory, HHH picked Plan C, but I hope Lesnar isn't booked as being under the Authority's control. And, yes, Bryan never lost his title, but it still seems that his bigger issue is with the ones who stripped him of the title rather than the title itself.

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  7. Hey, are you done reviewing NXT now? What happened? Or have I just missed some articles?

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  8. Reigns is getting the rocket push, whether I like it or not. (I don't ). I'd prefer Bryan coming back and winning, but they've lost confidence in him due to the injuries it seems, so it will probably be Reigns or Cena. Punk would be awesome, but I'm not holding out on that one either.

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  9. i guess you like alliteration

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  10. I don't think Punk has essentially been blackballed. They still sell his merch

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  11. I'm done with it for the moment. Too much treadmill booking and doing a RAW review every night is enough for me for a while.

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  12. Sex Cauldron! I thought they shut that place down.

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  13. Didn't Scott almost have that spot surpass the Mutt Scale?

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  14. Brock was going to crush Bryan at Summerslam. That's why I said Cena took over the role.

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  15. Yeah, but they expelled him from all promotional materials, and before his contract expired word was that they were no longer paying him royalties on his merch due to the circumstances of his departure. They definitely appear to be softening towards him by dropping his name here and there and pushing the doc (sort of), which is why I can still see a return happening for the right amount.

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  16. For some reason I think Reigns vs. Cena would be the bigger money match alongside Brock vs. Bryan.

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  17. Wwe doesn't care about any of that. Of they want Cena to win, they'll book him to win.

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  18. Brock rightly should have crushed Bryan. Then you can do the Rocky III with Bryan. Plus you could still start grooming Reigns except have him be on Bryan's side. Reigns learning from Bryan would be gold. Can you imagine a Bryan and Reigns tag team?


    You could also outright steal the Smackdown Six booking until Wrestlemania. With Bryan, Reigns, Rollins, Ambrose, and fill in any two guys you want. Cena, Ziggler, HHH etc. Have Brock only appear every once in a while. Have Reigns and Bryan be the last two in the Rumble if you want to make some drama. There was a lot of options there.


    WWE losing Punk and Bryan at almost the same time has screwed things up though. Ah well.


    Cena did well and will do well again at NOC. Then he will and should go back to his Super Cena midcard at the top of the card act.

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  19. The ONLY thing I could see is if they promised him the WM main event. It's the one thing he never got to do and as happy as Punk is, I think that one might pull at his heart strings a bit.


    That said, Vince is the only one who would offer it. HHH would not, so that might be a battle if it ever even came to it.

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  20. I don't think they've lost confidence in him. But to be fair, it is a genuine concern. The Rumble is the earliest guess as to when he'll be back and even that's a long shot.


    If he's not back by then, you can't book Wrestlemania properly with him in a starring role. I think WM 32 might be another Bryan year, but it won't be come 31. There's just not enough time.

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  21. We're getting a double turn at Night of Champions. John Cena becomes a Paul Heyman guy and destroys Lesnar, putting him out of action until the Royal Rumble.

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  22. This is same thing they did to Austin when he left in 2002, cut his merch sales payments and he said it hurt him monetarily hugely.

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  23. I actually think we could have a 'Daniel Bryan' situation on our hands again. Ambrose is building big momentum and come December/January I have a strong feeling the fans will turn on the forceful push of Reigns (Who will get Batista'd). Unlike in the past, Daniel Bryan changed the game on WWE dictating who truly gets pushed to the top now over the fans will. With Ambrose being so closely tied in with Reigns because of the Shield they are going to get into loggerheads before now and next year and I have no doubt who the fans will DEMAND comes out on top.

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  24. The Critic?! I do not recall that crossover!

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  25. Well...yes. Obviously. I'm saying I don't see the point in wasting Reigns at Wrestlemania with Brock if it isn't going to be for the title and Brock has already blown off his streak killer/Cena killer thing by immediately jobbing to Cena at Night of Champions. If Cena beats Brock at NoC, then I really don't care who faces Brock at WM, but it might as well be Rock since Reigns would just be a waste.

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  26. Magoonie NOT Teddy BelmontAugust 23, 2014 at 8:24 PM

    BOO-URNS!!!

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  27. Magoonie NOT Teddy BelmontAugust 23, 2014 at 8:24 PM

    How has Cena not done an homage/rip off to that scene with Cena Sucks?

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  28. One of the things I've noticed...

    The Simpsons are seemingly able to get major sound tracks in their episodes. Like Indiana Jones or Star Wars. Other shows are not able to do that. Interesting.

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  29. Daniel: I can't do it Brie. I can't beat Brock. He's too strong, he's too fast, he's too technical.


    Brie: You CAN do. IT!

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  30. Punk is the play to make. Huge draw once cult of personality hits. Meh doesn't even need to talk - just come out and stare. Many directions they could go with it and I don't think it's that much of a long shot. If they can all make $$ off it it (and they would) then why not?

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  31. The Rolling Stones. Steel Wheelchair Tour 2010.


    lol

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  32. Magoonie NOT Teddy BelmontAugust 23, 2014 at 8:40 PM

    In the future....in 2010.

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  33. Magoonie NOT Teddy BelmontAugust 23, 2014 at 8:41 PM

    Rolling Stones: Wheelchair Tour 2010

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  34. Phil Hartman still alive in this episode.

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  35. Oh man, this British flag gag is fucking HILARIOUS!

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  36. Yeah, it's gotta be Punk. Reigns is simply not ready; Rock is a part-timer and doesn't even want to wrestle anymore I thought; Bryan is too much of a question mark and had his moment last year. Punk wanted a Wrestlemania moment, right? That was his whole deal. He takes a year off, comes back at the Royal Rumble, rested, and wins, says the next night, "I couldn't beat Brock the first time because I was burnt out and tired and frustrated, but I came close, and now I'm back to finish the job at Wrestlemania." boom. simple.

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  37. This future wedding of Lisa's episode is pretty damn good.

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  38. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighAugust 23, 2014 at 9:13 PM

    WWE doesn't even want Punk back... Surprised at how many people are suggesting he could actually be at Wrestlemania. I know everyone comes back eventually, and money talks. I just don't see it for quite awhile. And why would they put him in that spot, that soon? I just can't see that scenario.

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  39. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighAugust 23, 2014 at 9:14 PM

    Absolutely not.

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  40. Virgil's Gimmick TableAugust 23, 2014 at 9:20 PM

    ... BITCH!

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  41. Dumb question (to y'all) but how do u email scott. Im technology illiterate and just in the last few months started posting.

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  42. Your right but the fans want him........ CM PUNK CM PUNK CMPUNK

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  43. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighAugust 23, 2014 at 9:28 PM

    Oh I would love it don't get me wrong

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  44. Magoonie NOT Teddy BelmontAugust 23, 2014 at 9:31 PM

    So Monorail, Stonecutters and Vest are the three best original Simpsons songs right?

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  45. My e-mail address is featured on the right side of the page.

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  46. Magoonie NOT Teddy BelmontAugust 23, 2014 at 9:31 PM

    I knew exactly what was coming and still laughed again.

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  47. Magoonie NOT Teddy BelmontAugust 23, 2014 at 9:32 PM

    Yeah, I noticed that as well

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  48. Magoonie NOT Teddy BelmontAugust 23, 2014 at 9:32 PM

    That's a great episode, easily the best future episode they've done.

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  49. It's not so much that Bryan changed the game on WWE dictating who gets to the top, it's that he took it back to how it actually is supposed to be, and used to be before. Sure, WWE would handpick a guy and push him to the moon, but if they weren't getting over as big as WWE wanted them to (Luger) or they weren't staying over/drawing like WWE wanted them to once they go to the top (Diesel), they went with the guy that fans seemed to prefer (in both cases, Bret).


    This whole "sticking fingers in the ears and saying la la la I can't hear you" when fans chant for the guy they actually want to see, or chant for announcers and dead guys because the "stars" in the ring aren't the guys they want to see, is an entirely recent phenomenon.

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  50. Have you met the good Dr. Zaius?

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  51. Interesting...Springfield is doing a re-enactment of the Civil War...and Springfield is the North...

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  52. Dude do u remember when the fans actually dictated who got the push and who didn't..............good times

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  53. Fox does have a nasty habit of ruining any sport they cover while NBC almost always has great sports coverage thanks to Dick Ebersol and his successors.

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  54. Supposing they decide the Roman Reigns push isn't taking, and they see the fans backing Dean Ambrose like they did Daniel Bryan, here's a scenario:

    Seth Rollins challenges Brock Lesnar to a match/fight at Royal Rumble. Lesnar lays in a hellacious beating, with Reigns making the save. Reigns goes on to win the Rumble. Despite reservations by Ambrose the Shield reunites. The Authority then announces Reigns has to put up his WrestleMania title shot at Elimination Chamber, with all 3 member of the Shield in the match, as well as Randy Orton, Kane & Triple H (or Big Show or Batista--doesn't really matter). Of course Rollins turns on Reigns, eliminating him from the chamber with a curb stomp on the steel grating. It comes down to Rollins & Ambrose, but Reigns comes back out with his head wrapped up, breaks into the chamber and spears Rollins. Ambrose gets the pin, setting up the biggest underdog match ever in Ambrose vs. Lesnar at WrestleMania, as well as Reigns vs. Rollins. You then have a couple months to see if Ambrose can draw, at which point if he isn't they can have Rollins cash in the briefcase and have Reigns win the belt. They could also go total dick and have Rollins cash in *at* WrestleMania, win the belt, and have Ambrose (and/or Reigns) chase him for a few months.

    This all assumes--as said above--that they get nervous about Reigns, and the fans get crazy behind Ambrose.

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  55. Working on bringing back 1988 era Macho Man Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth for Brock at WM 31

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  56. Not only that but they keep those tracks fully intact on the DVD sets unlike a lot of other shows (*cough Happy Days cough*).

    But considering their DVD sales are in billion dollar territory, they obviously have no issue with paying a few million dollars in music rights to keep all of the episodes fully intact.

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  57. Punk coming out at #30 in the Rumble *would* be the mother of all pops. Then he goes over Lesnar at WrestleMania. Then if Bryan was able to come back you'd have an awesome ready-made feud between the two, with Punk blaming Bryan getting "his spot" as the reason he left, while Bryan could lay claim to the belt because he never lost it. This also gives WWE another year to groom Reigns for the top spot.

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  58. Vince: You know Paul, I've had a change of heart about Wrestlemania. You're right, it shouldn't be the Rock against Brock in the main event.

    HHH: Whew! Glad I could talk you out of it. So for Roman's big push, we'll have...

    Vince: Roman? No no no, at Wrestlemania it'll be Brrrrrock Lesnar against C..M...Punk!

    HHH: *horrified glare*

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  59. Ironically, that episode's original airing was very shortly before The Critic left FOX and moved to ABC.

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  60. This is forecasting FAR FAR ahead, but if Roman does indeed win the title at WM31 and a big, um, reign as champion, I wonder if WWE already has Roman vs. the Rock for Wrestlemania 32 in Dallas. Coming back to put over his cousin would surely get Dwayne's attention, plus wrestling in front of 100,000 fans.

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  61. Maison Derrière is up there.

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  62. it's always bothered me how big sheri and teri are in the old opening sequence. they're twice the size of the other kids

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  63. They should put the belt on Reigns ASAP and let him sink or swim. He's as over as he's going to get. He won't win over the IWC. The slow burn will simply serve to tire out the marks. If he is good, let him go for a while. If he stinks, take it back at Survivor Series. All the while keep the Ambrose push going. That way you either have an alternative to Reigns or another potential star to go along with him.

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  64. Jesus...Simpsons did the Cosby imitation meme first?

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  65. Magoonie NOT Teddy BelmontAugust 23, 2014 at 10:23 PM

    Bleeding Gums Murphy :-(

    Simpsons, STOP making me FEEL!

    DEATH!

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  66. Crikey Mate Down Under AussieAugust 23, 2014 at 10:47 PM

    "John Cena is out of the question, since he got beat twice by then, so that's settled."

    Clearly the emailer is new to wrestling.

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  67. I don't get the Hill Street Blues references...

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  68. Magoonie NOT Teddy BelmontAugust 23, 2014 at 11:08 PM

    LEMON STEALING WHORES!!!

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  69. davidbonzaisaldanamontgomeryAugust 23, 2014 at 11:11 PM

    BUT WE HAVE THREE GRANDPAS ALREADY

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  70. davidbonzaisaldanamontgomeryAugust 23, 2014 at 11:12 PM

    HE CAN TALK HE CAN TALK...

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  71. I remember when the shooter was revealed, everybody hated it.

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  72. It's spankin' season, and I got a hankerin' for some spankerin'!

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  73. maggie shot mr. burns

    oh yeah, spoiler

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  74. These white slippers are albino African endangered rhino!

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  75. Those were the days....back when WWE had to actually COMPETE with a rival for the fans' money, they listened.

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  76. You think they'd do it? Or is Hunter petty enough to punish Punk by bringing him back as a "job guy" for the Shield kids?

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  77. If CM Punk is back before Wrestlemania, I'll eat my hat. It will never happen.

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  78. It's a good job Bryan was injured. If he'd have lost like Cena did last week the internet would have gone into meltdown. No fans would have believed that Cena would lose like that so would have thought that was just Bryan getting the burial WWE always wanted to give him.

    Would have made for some great heat though.

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  79. How do you know they don't want him back? I think they'd jump at the chance

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  80. If Brock/Rock happens, there is zero chance Rock goes over. They'd just be bringing him in to pop a buyrate and put over Brock.

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  81. NEVER happen? This is wrestling, you can count on one hand wrestlers that have stayed retired.

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  82. $10 million on the line... would you bet it all on CM Punk eventually returning one day or absolutely never returning?

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  83. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighAugust 24, 2014 at 7:19 AM

    First guy to really burn HHH and Steph since they have taken a more prominent role from Vince. HHH did a fantastic job mending fences FOR Vince (Bruno, Warrior), but we have no idea how he will choose to handle Punk. There is no precedent.

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  84. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighAugust 24, 2014 at 7:19 AM

    I miss it.

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  85. Which would be a tremendous waste.

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  86. Honestly? Ever since Brock beat Taker at WM, I'm willing to believe anything can happen right now. Hell, Cena turning heel went from next-to-impossible to one-small-step-above-next-to-impossible.

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  87. The obvious answer is Hogan.

    F5 - kick out - hulk up - finger point - punch, punch, punch - Irish whip - big boot - leg drop - lateral press - pose down.

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  88. That is brilliant! WHY has this never been done before?

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  89. I know. It's a license to print money!

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  90. Rock v. Brock seems like a huge cash-out. Yeah, the match will go over like gangbusters, but then what? In exchange for one massive main event, you've just flat-out admitted that none of your regular performers- not even Cena- are worthy of holding the WWE title or main-eventing Wrestlemania. It's no wonder that's the preferred option of the 69-year-old.

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  91. Ambrose. That is all.

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