We all knew it was bound to happen. It was only a matter of time before The Rock realized that his box office receipts were tanking bad enough that he’d have to call Uncle Vince to spot him a couple of million for a few appearances and a match. And to be quite honest, I don’t mind it so much. Knowing that Rock vs. Cena was inevitable, my only concern was not how they were going to do it, it was when they were going to do it.
Admittedly, I was one of millions…and millions… of Mania watchers expecting an impromptu match at the conclusion of Mania much like Hogan vs. Yokozuna at the end of Mania 9. When the credits rolled, I initially thought the WWE was either going to blow the concept by offering a teaser of the match for free on Raw and then waste the opportunity on a meaningless pay per view like Extreme Rules. At best, I figured they’d push it till SummerSlam. But setting up the main event to next year’s WrestleMania 364 days in advance was a nice touch. Now my only concern is how will they effectively utilize a full year to build towards such a dream match?
There is plenty that can go wrong in that amount of time and plenty at risk under such working conditions. While The Rock can safely camp out in Hollywood until next year’s show, Cena has been very injury prone over the last few years and should he go down and be unable to compete at the big show, what then would be a suitable replacement?…Absolutely, NOTHING!
The WWE has a lot riding on this event and the smart move would be to take Cena off TV for a good portion of the year. Keeping the title on The Miz was the first step in the right direction. Sure you might all think I’m bat shit crazy, but he’s a great champion antagonist much like the HonkyTonk Man. With a match against The Rock set for next year’s Mania, Cena is excusably out of the championship picture. A year is sufficient time for the WWE to build up a new young face for the company who can work his way to a Royal Rumble win and earn a shot to challenge for the title at next year’s Mania.
Realistically, there is more money to be made as a company with a heel champion and several babyfaces chasing the opportunity to bring pride and glory back to the title. As for Cena, the best creative option to keep him healthy for Mania is to write him off TV with a “fake” injury and build off the drama on whether or not he will make it Mania to face The Rock. Simultaneously, you have the opportunity to build a new legitimate monster heel who Cena can avenge in a triumphant return at the Royal Rumble and in the home-stretch to Mania.
Think back to the Steamboat/Savage feud. Macho Man dropped the bell on Steamboat’s throat and sidelined him for over 3 months before their classic encounter at WrestleMania III, where Steamboat avenged the attack and walked away as the new intercontinental champion. Tearing a page out of history only helps build Cena’s character even stronger while ensuring the big Maina main event payoff.
But hey, who am I to be offering expert advice on how NOT to botch next year’s WrestleMania? I’m just a guy with 20 years experience in the business who is handicapped by common sense. Normally I’d charge a pretty high consultant fee for this kind of advice, so here’s to keeping our fingers crossed that the WWE sitcom writers have it all figured out. Only time and another sixty dollar pay per view fee will tell.
Can You Dig It!?!?
This post sponsored in part by: Hewlett Homes for Sale & Rockville Centre Rentals
Annie Social
Becky Bayless
Candice Michelle
Daffney
Dawn Marie
Lacey Von Erich
Madison Rayne
Malia Hosaka
SoCal Val
Velvet Sky
Ashley Massaro Fansite
Christy Hemme Fansite
Tracy Brooks Fansite
Diamond Dallas Page
“A year is sufficient time for the WWE to build up a new young face for the company who can work his way to a Royal Rumble win and earn a shot to challenge for the title at next year’s Mania.”
Daniel Bryan?