WrestleMania 28 Pre Show Thread *Spoilers*

JP Liz V1

Card so far:-

John Cena vs. The Rock

CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho for WWE Title

Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan for WHC Title

The Undertaker vs. Triple H in a Hell in a Cell Match

Lord TSC

Dammit Liz, I was about to post this :P

I was bored, so decided to make these banners. Was jealous of the TNA PPV topics always having them :P Will add to them as more matches are announced.

Bounty Hunter

If that card does not get a great buyrate no WWE PPV will.

with rumours of matches like Show vs Shaq, Beth vs Kharma and potentially the return of MITB this could be the best mania for a while and without doubt will be better than last year imo

rovert

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

If that card does not get a great buyrate no WWE PPV will.

with rumours of matches like Show vs Shaq, Beth vs Kharma and potentially the return of MITB this could be the best mania for a while and without doubt will be better than last year imo

And the stip that Rock vs Cena will be a Money Fight :pac:

DM_7

The card is really exciting but also the match ups allow each match to have its own individual style. Hopefully each match will be allowed time and the chance to be good/very good.

For example the HIAC won't feature any brawling in the audience so that can be left to another match.

HIAC will be a brawl with minimal 'technical' wrestling

Punk v Jericho will be an even competitive match up with plenty of submissions and 'technical' moves.

Sheamus v Bryan will be the big man face v the sneaky dirty heel with Sheamus using high impact offence while Bryan uses his faster offence mixed with some sly moves.

Not sure what sort of match Rock and Cena will be - All of the above perhaps?

Big Daddy Cool

rovert wrote: »

And the stip that Rock vs Cena will be a Money Fight :pac:

or a ladder match with Vince suspended above the ring, winner recieves a big hug.

gnfnrhead

I'm a little worried about the order of matches. WWE like to have a slower match between the top matches. You have four top matches and thats not even counting the likely MITB match. Going to be tough for them to do if the other matches end up being big one's too. Personally, I have Triple H vs 'taker as the main event. Thats THE match this year imo. Cena vs Rock is a showpiece match that means absolutly nothing. I'd want HIAC on last, but it'll probably be third last. Followed by Cena/Rock and some random tag match to cool the fans off.

Based on my reading of thread here, I'm guessing something like:

MITB
Cody vs Santino or Big Show
Sheamus vs Bryan
Kharma vs Beth
Punk vs Jericho
Team Big Johnny vs Team T-Lo
HIAC
Tag titles?
Cena vs Rock

Thats nine matches which is pushing it to the limit. The only other real option I can see is having one of the title matches open and be followed by MITB. That would cut out one of the lesser matches.

JP Liz V1

I dont think there will be both a MITB match and a Team John Laurinaitis V Team Teddy Long match on the card more likely just one of them

WWE creative are contemplating holding a Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania in which all the participants are former world champions. The idea could include Jack Swagger, Randy Orton, Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, Christian and Kane, among others.

Charisteas

gnfnrhead wrote: »

Based on my reading of thread here, I'm guessing something like:

MITB
Cody vs Santino or Big Show
Sheamus vs Bryan
Kharma vs Beth
Punk vs Jericho
Team Big Johnny vs Team T-Lo
HIAC
Tag titles?
Cena vs Rock
.

I actually thought we were going to see John Laurinitis vs Teddy Long one-on-one, but a team on each side makes much more sense.

irish_stevo815

Charisteas wrote: »

I actually thought we were going to see John Laurinitis vs Teddy Long one-on-one, but a team on each side makes much more sense.

Kinda like Vince vs. Donald Trump a few years back. Dont think it'll be one on one, probably could have Otunga, Christian, Del Rio & Henry vs some other 4. possibly Santino, Ryder, Big Zeke & ....................EDGE :P ........one can dream

D2D

Honestly, I don't think I've ever been so excited for a Mania like this in a long time

gerrybbadd

Mania is gonna be class, the build to the Rock/Cena match is already off to a great start, and Cena's promo on Raw was very very good.

Be interesting to see what Dwaynes comeback will be.

I can see Punk v Y2J being a show stealer, on a par with HBK / Y2J from WM19.

Any word on who the usual Celeb is this year? I know Shaq was to face Big Show, but that's not looking too likely now.

JP Liz V1

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Mania is gonna be class, the build to the Rock/Cena match is already off to a great start, and Cena's promo on Raw was very very good.

Be interesting to see what Dwaynes comeback will be.

I can see Punk v Y2J being a show stealer, on a par with HBK / Y2J from WM19.

Any word on who the usual Celeb is this year? I know Shaq was to face Big Show, but that's not looking too likely now.

Does this Mania need a celeb seeing as Rock is back in the ring wont he qualify also as a "celeb" surely him being back will garner quite a bit of mainstream media attention for Vince saying that would love to see Tyson knock out Miz

The Showstopper

Any chance of Orion been added to the WHC match and make it a Triple Threat

EdK

Can't wait now,can't help thinking of when myself and my brother turned to each other in The Phillips arena in Atlanta last year after the Rock v Cena announcement and just said Miami to each other and nodded, So weird afterwards there was a major thunderstorm,Rocky definitely brings the electricity haha, This should be epic hopefully they cut down on promos and videos and stuff and focus on the in ring action

SlickRic

even WWE cannot mess this card up.

it's on a plate for them as long as they don't try getting too clever. they must pace it all properly and not have shít come to a head too early.

for instance, don't have Cena and Rock touch until WM. simple shít like that.

and that will be the main event, and i'll be honest, it is THE match i'm looking forward to right now. the Cena videos, as well as his promo on Monday, have made me want to see the match more than anything either have done over the last 10 months and change.

seriously, if they let Cena be Cena, he may have more fans on his side than many think. maybe not in Miami, but around the world certainly.

Y2J/Punk needs to be a slow, simmering feud. i like the slow start to the tensions. have the promos and animosity build to a crescendo. it's the only one that's not on a plate yet for them. but with the talent of the 2 of them, they should be fine.

there are so many potential show-stealers on the card. can't wait.

as i say, it's surely impossible to mess up.

GTR63

Looking forward to Mania alrite but the highlight of April for me if it happens will be if Rashad Evans floors that dickhead Jon Jones.

JP Liz V1

Source

WWE's website posted a headline last night that says, "Shaq will not compete at WrestleManina." The article is accompanied by a photo of Shaquille O'Neal and Big Show going at it in the ring back in 2009.

Shaq did an interview with HollywoodLife.com last week where he said he would be in attendance for WrestleMania 28 in Miami. Shaq did not say he would compete. WWE mentioned Shaq's HollywoodLife.com interview but got the facts wrong. Shaq never said he would be competing. WWE wrote the following:

"Despite Shaquille O'Neal's claim that he will compete at WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami, WWE officials have informed WWE.com that the 15-time NBA All-Star is not scheduled to appear on the card."

Furious-Red

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The current plan is to have John Lauranaitis’ quest to become the permanent GM of RAW and SmackDown both end in a winner-takes-all scenario at WrestleMania 28.

If current plans stay in place, Laurinaitis will have a heel team of stars taking on a babyface team of Long’s, with the winning captain becoming GM of both shows.

We don’t have this confirmed just yet but this may replace the Money in the Bank match.

paddyismaddy

The Showstopper wrote: »

Any chance of Orion been added to the WHC match and make it a Triple Threat

yes i think orton will be added dont think he would lower himself for mitb

i'd prefer to see beth v natayla over kharma more likely be natayla v hornswaggle farting competition :rolleyes:

GTR63

This is one time in WWE I want them to sort something out with a Dance contest between Johnny and Teddy. So if its a tag match what are the teams The A Team of ADR, Christian, Henry & Otunga vs Orton, Santino, Khali(i'm clutching at Straws picking him but where are the midcard faces) then i'm really guessing maybe Booker T or fingers crossed a repackaged McIntyre comes to Teddy's aid. Knowing wwe they'll put in Lawler and have Cole do a run in.

Charisteas

Called the Hell In A Cell match 3 months ago, in your face Dave Meltzer

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=75690813&postcount=106

A Primal Nut

A big tag match for control of both shows should be close to a main event at any other PPV. At this one, it will just be another match. They could have had this anytime but decided to put it at WrestleMania. Shows Vince is really pulling out all the stops to make this a candidate for best card ever, although it won't be quite as good a card as 2001 WrestleMania.

If Cena wins (I think he will) they might regret putting this in Miami. The end of WrestleMania would be Cena getting booed like crazy and people shouting "Cena Sucks." That's unless the Rock wins or if the WWE have something up their sleeve to somehow make Cena popular again (the only way I can think is to have the Rock act like a Hollywood dick the whole night, but thats unlikely too).

That's why I think HHH ending the streak or Punk defeating Jericho might just close the show. But we'll see. The whole thing is very unpredictable.

Whatever diva's match it is, I hope they put it in the first couple of matches to get over with.

I'm not so sure we'll see Kharma at WrestleMania. Her child is less than two months old, three months by the time WrestleMania comes around. She won't be able to do much travelling so I doubt there is much chance of a fulltime return to promote the match or defend the title. If she fights Beth it's almost a guaranteed loss because of that, so I can't see it.

gnfnrhead

A Primal Nut wrote: »

A big tag match for control of both shows should be close to a main event at any other PPV. At this one, it will just be another match. They could have had this anytime but decided to put it at WrestleMania. Shows Vince is really pulling out all the stops to make this a candidate for best card ever, although it won't be quite as good a card as 2001 WrestleMania.

If Cena wins (I think he will) they might regret putting this in Miami. The end of WrestleMania would be Cena getting booed like crazy and people shouting "Cena Sucks." That's unless the Rock wins or if the WWE have something up their sleeve to somehow make Cena popular again (the only way I can think is to have the Rock act like a Hollywood dick the whole night, but thats unlikely too).

That's why I think HHH ending the streak or Punk defeating Jericho might just close the show. But we'll see. The whole thing is very unpredictable.

Whatever diva's match it is, I hope they put it in the first couple of matches to get over with.

I'm not so sure we'll see Kharma at WrestleMania. Her child is less than two months old, three months by the time WrestleMania comes around. She won't be able to do much travelling so I doubt there is much chance of a fulltime return to promote the match or defend the title. If she fights Beth it's almost a guaranteed loss because of that, so I can't see it.

You dont think Triple H would get booed for ending the streak?

Charisteas

A Primal Nut wrote: »

If Cena wins (I think he will) they might regret putting this in Miami. The end of WrestleMania would be Cena getting booed like crazy and people shouting "Cena Sucks."

Miami is Dwayne's Kayfabe hometown, though i'm not sure how many of the thousands in attendance will actually be aware of that, or how many of those in attendance will even be from Miami anyway.

Miami was only really his 'home' in the early 90's in the few years he went to University there and played football for the Hurricanes. He was born in California and grew up all over the place it seems in New Zealand, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania.

D.Q

They will make a big enough deal of the hometown thing that everyone there will be rallying behind him. Repeat a lie enough times and all that.

krudler

I cant see them having Punk v Jericho closing this, it has to be either Cena/Rock or Taker/HHH, this is the one year where the title match isnt as big a focus, two legends and two of the biggest stars ever going at dwarfs the title in this instance, if manias 18, 25, and last year are anything to go the title matches suffer when the crowd is burnt out from the previous big matches. did shawn/taker close mania 26? cant remember

A Primal Nut

gnfnrhead wrote: »

You dont think Triple H would get booed for ending the streak?

Hmm, I'm not sure. But usually people at least respect both HHH and Taker so if they put on a great match (I expect they will), I'd expect the crowd will cheer either way, especially with both men so close to the end of their careers. If the streak is ended, then I'm sure most fans in attendance would be shocked and happy to have seen such a major moment in Wrestling history.

HHH doesn't usually get booed, not as much as Cena anyway.

The Showstopper

krudler wrote: »

I cant see them having Punk v Jericho closing this, it has to be either Cena/Rock or Taker/HHH, this is the one year where the title match isnt as big a focus, two legends and two of the biggest stars ever going at dwarfs the title in this instance, if manias 18, 25, and last year are anything to go the title matches suffer when the crowd is burnt out from the previous big matches. did shawn/taker close mania 26? cant remember

They did, can't see Rock and Cena not being on last given that it has been given a year buildup. Also I think if Punk and Jericho were to go on last it would be very hard for it not to be a disappointment.

PTH2009

I can see Rock winning and then the whole emotional hugging fireworks scene between rock and cena to end the show.

The HIAC match will be brutal but taker will come out with victory.

I can see both the wwe title and the world title changing hands at mania.

If wwe are going to end undertakers streak would future Taker mania matches be pointless (if he doesent retire after this wrestlemania)

Rjd2

The Showstopper wrote: »

They did, can't see Rock and Cena not being on last given that it has been given a year buildup. Also I think if Punk and Jericho were to go on last it would be very hard for it not to be a disappointment.

True, zero chance of Punk and Jericho closing the show, its simply nowhere near as big as Rock/ Cena and hbk/ Taker.

spiralism

A Primal Nut wrote: »

Hmm, I'm not sure. But usually people at least respect both HHH and Taker so if they put on a great match (I expect they will), I'd expect the crowd will cheer either way, especially with both men so close to the end of their careers. If the streak is ended, then I'm sure most fans in attendance would be shocked and happy to have seen such a major moment in Wrestling history.

HHH doesn't usually get booed, not as much as Cena anyway.

True but anyone breaking the streak will piss off a lot of people. HHH doing it when a major criticism of him over the years has been him using his position and booking himself to win titles means that it's very possible he gets serious heat if he beats the streak

krudler

I cant see HHH booking himself to end it, he's said in numerous interviews it should never end and remain unbeaten, really you'd wonder is it Taker who has the say in it, its his streak, and his reward for such long company loyalty, 22 years with a company isnt to be sniffed at so is the 20-0 unbeaten record his gold watch retirement gift.

gnfnrhead

As far as I'm concerned, if Triple H is going to win, he has to cut the nice guy crap and go back to his old self. He sucks as a baby face but is an amazing heel imo. Plus, WWE could do with an established heel main eventer for a while again. Kane, Jericho, Miz etc are not main eventers in my eyes. Bryan, despite being champion, can't really be counted either, at least not yet.

If Triple H beats 'taker, he could go on and feud with Punk properly. Punk is still in the second teir at best for me, he needs someone like a heel Triple H to put him over and push him into the top teir alongside Cena and Orton. Punk never got that extra push that's needed. Triple H claims he wants to do what's good for business? He'll then give Punk that win in the aftermath of ending the streak. Punk gets a win over Triple H, and a win over the guy who ended the streak. You can't get bigger than that.

It seems obvious to me that WWE won't have a young guy end the streak due to what happened with Lesnar. Triple H isn't going anywhere. He's probably the only guy bar 'taker himself, who will never even consider walking away. He's there for life. He's a safe bet and probably the only guy they would consider have ending the streak. Doubt they would even have Cena do it in case he does what Dwayne did.

It's Triple H or no-one for me.

spiralism

krudler wrote: »

I cant see HHH booking himself to end it, he's said in numerous interviews it should never end and remain unbeaten, really you'd wonder is it Taker who has the say in it, its his streak, and his reward for such long company loyalty, 22 years with a company isnt to be sniffed at so is the 20-0 unbeaten record his gold watch retirement gift.

Whatever happens, i think we could be seeing the curtain call for Taker's career at Mania. WWE like their round figures, they'd rather his all time record being 20-0 rather than 19 or 21. As for the streak itself, breaking it might seem like a good swerve in the short term but it won't be in the long run, it'll be looked back at as similar to WCW letting Goldberg's streak end, it tarnished something from then on.

Imo they should have this as the main event but realistically it's always going to be Rock v Cena after a year's build up which is a shame. Especially if it's Taker's last Mania, it would be the least they could do for him that he headlines his last one.

gnfnrhead

spiralism wrote: »

Whatever happens, i think we could be seeing the curtain call for Taker's career at Mania. WWE like their round figures, they'd rather his all time record being 20-0 rather than 19 or 21. As for the streak itself, breaking it might seem like a good swerve in the short term but it won't be in the long run, it'll be looked back at as similar to WCW letting Goldberg's streak end, it tarnished something from then on.

Imo they should have this as the main event but realistically it's always going to be Rock v Cena after a year's build up which is a shame. Especially if it's Taker's last Mania, it would be the least they could do for him that he headlines his last one.

If Rock/Cena counts as a year long build, then surely you can count Triple H/Undertaker from their first WM (17?) match all those years ago? Rock/Cena have been more a week here, two weeks there, than a year long build imo.

I do agree however that Triple H/Undertaker should be on last, especially with it being HIAC.

Charlie Haughy

i hope the hiac has some brutal spots in it, maybe with tables/chairs or getting thrown out of the cage and fighting in the crowd or whatever. not just a bit of pushing their face into the cage and irish whipped into the cage :rolleyes:


please make it an epic hiac wwe. its been years since we've had one.


are wwe going to acknowledge the wm17 match between hhh and taker also?

Rjd2

krudler wrote: »

I cant see HHH booking himself to end it, he's said in numerous interviews it should never end and remain unbeaten, really you'd wonder is it Taker who has the say in it, its his streak, and his reward for such long company loyalty, 22 years with a company isnt to be sniffed at so is the 20-0 unbeaten record his gold watch retirement gift.

True enough, I reckon Vince will be hoping they can get a Mania match with Cena before he retires and that won't have the same appeal without the streak.

spiralism

Rjd2 wrote: »

True enough, I reckon Vince will be hoping they can get a Mania match with Cena before he retires and that won't have the same appeal without the streak.

I think the internet would explode if Cena broke the streak a year or two down the line. Dont let Cena ****ing near the Taker at Mania, i don't trust Vince not to have Cena end it. Jericho, Punk and Orton are the only legit opponents left after HHH this year. Of those Orton already lost at WM 21, Punk goes without saying though he'd need to be heel, and given WWE's lack of top faces until recently, he should not be going back down that route. Punk's been turned back and forth enough the last few years regardless. Jericho on the other hand, despite being around a while, has a couple of wins over Taker under his belt and is certainly a credible enough opponent. That's providing Taker is even around after this year anyways.

Rjd2

spiralism wrote: »

I think the internet would explode if Cena broke the streak a year or two down the line. Dont let Cena ****ing near the Taker at Mania, i don't trust Vince not to have Cena end it. Jericho, Punk and Orton are the only legit opponents left after HHH this year. Of those Orton already lost at WM 21, Punk goes without saying though he'd need to be heel, and given WWE's lack of top faces until recently, he should not be going back down that route. Punk's been turned back and forth enough the last few years regardless. Jericho on the other hand, despite being around a while, has a couple of wins over Taker under his belt and is certainly a credible enough opponent. That's providing Taker is even around after this year anyways.

To be fair Cena v Taker is a bigger money match than Punk/Jericho/ Orton v Taker and that is all that matters to Vince.

spiralism

Rjd2 wrote: »

To be fair Cena v Taker is a bigger money match than Punk/Jericho/ Orton v Taker and that is all that matters to Vince.

Which brings about the terrifying prospect of Taker putting Cena over at some Wrestlemania in the future to keep the kiddies and the ladies happy :eek:

D.Q

had a dream they announced Taker to be going into the HOF this week on Raw. Woke up convinced this would be his last match, only shaking it now.. But...what if it is? I will be genuinely sad watching it.

montyrebel

What about Sheamus ending the streak next year? he has the look of a big badass motherf**ker, if its done right I can see him doing it and would love it if it was

Lord TSC

I'd love Taker/Cena just because I would be genuinely worried Taker would lose, and that would mean I'd have a real emotional investment in the match....

JP Liz V1

No matter who he faces Taker shouldnt lose his Wrestlemania streak

So who will Michael Cole be facing this year to continue his Wrestlemania winning streak

Degag

While i think that Taker/HHH probably should be last, i don't think that it will be. Can't see Vince bumping Cena/Rock after all the promotion for the past year.

Lord TSC

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

So who will Michael Cole be facing this year to continue his Wrestlemania winning streak

He could be on Team Laurinitus?

Penn

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

No matter who he faces Taker shouldnt lose his Wrestlemania streak

So who will Michael Cole be facing this year to continue his Wrestlemania winning streak

Dunno. But if he wins a match this year, Cole Vs Taker WM29: Streak Vs Streak

JP Liz V1

Penn wrote: »

Dunno. But if he wins a match this year, Cole Vs Taker WM29: Streak Vs Streak

I dont wanna see any of them starkers

gnfnrhead

spiralism wrote: »

I think the internet would explode if Cena broke the streak a year or two down the line. Dont let Cena ****ing near the Taker at Mania, i don't trust Vince not to have Cena end it. Jericho, Punk and Orton are the only legit opponents left after HHH this year. Of those Orton already lost at WM 21, Punk goes without saying though he'd need to be heel, and given WWE's lack of top faces until recently, he should not be going back down that route. Punk's been turned back and forth enough the last few years regardless. Jericho on the other hand, despite being around a while, has a couple of wins over Taker under his belt and is certainly a credible enough opponent. That's providing Taker is even around after this year anyways.

Jericho isnt a legit contender. Bar Triple H, Cena is the only other maybe. With Cena, there is the risk of him leaving to do movies or whatever, which is why I dont think he'll be getting it. Jericho and Punk are nowhere close to being on the same level as Undertaker, Triple H, Shawn Michaels etc. It would be a HUGE step down in terms of star power compared to recent years.

Personally, I reckon this is Undertaker's last match. He either gets beat and dissappears having been "vanquished", or he wins, but gets beaten up so much that he loses his "power" and has to leave anyway.

JaMarcus Hustle

What time will this be on at on the Sunday night? And how long does WrestleMania last these days? Thanks