“Fast Forward”
With all the hype around WrestleMania 28 I wanted to go ahead and fast forward and book WrestleMania 29 the way I’d like to see it play out.
CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler (WWE Title match) – By this time next year I fully expect Dolph Ziggler to be main eventing on Raw and to be honest I could totally see him going into WM29 the WWE Champion. The matches that Dolph has already had with CM Punk have been great to say the least. The two have a good chemistry together and the styles mesh quite well. CM Punk would fit perfectly well into the veteran role against Dolph and be able to carry him through a top-notch WM match with ease. By then Dolph will be even more comfortable in the main event and with all the opportunities the two have had against each other, it will only seem natural. I would have Dolph as the heel w/ Vickie go into WM29 as the Champion. Punk would be going in to get revenge and regain his title with the crowd’s full support. This would a great place for CM Punk to win back the title and give him the WM title win. This could also signal the end for Dolph/Vickie as the final crack in the relationship if the two haven’t already moved on by this time next year.
Chris Jericho vs. The Undertaker (Streak match) – After seeing The Undertaker face HHH the last two years, for WM29 I would love to see WWE take a different route. These two together in my opinion could create the feud of the year. With Jericho’s great mic skills and ability to be a great antagonist and Undertakers hero like status, it would be a classic WWE style matchup. With Undertakers age and skill level both forever changing putting him in the ring with a skilled performer is a must. We all know Jericho has the ability to perform with any style of competitor, and we all know what Undertaker has to offer in the ring. Not only could Jericho make Undertaker look like a million bucks, Undertaker could feel safe knowing that he has a well-seasoned veteran in the ring with him that can think quickly and change on the fly if need be. This would almost have an early 90’s feel Undertaker feud to me, when Taker was the heel going up against Hogan/Piper and any face that stood in his way. To me this would also be a refreshing change from the Taker/HHH rivalry.
Christian vs. Daniel Bryan (WHC Title match) – Not only do I see the next year to be a very successful year for Christian, I also see it continuing to be a great success for Daniel Bryan. Daniel has gone on to have quite the title run so far, longer than what anyone truly probably believed. Not only is his title run going extremely well, Daniel has come off as a legit championship contender in my eyes. I see shades of Chris Benoit all throughout Daniel, as I love his intensity and his focus. His technique is absolutely flawless and I could see these traits matching up perfectly against Christian. The technical bouts these two could put on would be absolutely breathtaking. Not only could these two have amazing submission matches, but cage matches, ladder matches and anything that involved higher than average skills. I hope this feud actually happens in the future and I believe this would be a WrestleMania worthy match. The fans still support Christian even though he’s trying to be a heel, but I believe Christian going in as a face against Daniel would be more beneficial and help solidify Daniel as a heel up to the next level.
John Cena vs. The Rock (Part 2) – If the WWE plans on giving these two a 3 match series, I’d rather see all 3 matches take place at WrestleMania instead of one sitting out of place at SummerSlam or another PPV during the middle of the year. The year wait we’ve had since last years announcement has been a great build for this match. So far to me it’s been done very well and the timing of bringing The Rock in has been great. At WM28 this year I’d easily have The Rock defeat John Cena, making Cena go absolutely crazy and attack Rock giving him a horrible heel beat down. This would at least continue the story and give them a reason to have a confrontation sooner than later to set up WM29. The Rock would make Cena beg, borrow and steel in order to finally get a re-match, but finally after months of speculation, they’d finally have the match signed for the big PPV. At WM29 John Cena would pick up the victory over The Rock, tying the series at 1-1. The final match to settle it all would take place at WM30, in an epic encounter.
Honorable mention – Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd (IC Title match) Just because I believe these two both deserve a push and re-package. They both have potential to become main eventers in my opinion and it would be great to see them get some sort of recognition and TV time. By this time next year I hope these two are at least high mid carders who get rewarded with a WM match.
This still leaves a lot of great talent to work with for the undercard. I’m hoping by next year the Divas division will be seen a little differently, and hoping the return of Kharma gives it a little more exposure. I really wanted to see a Kharma vs. Beth Phoenix this year, but perhaps we will be lucky enough to see it next year. Why not throw in Natayla while they’re at it, too? Also perhaps by WM29 we might have a little more respectable tag team division. I honestly believe WWE could make big money with tag teams, but they’ve completely forgot how. LOD, The Rockers etc. all sold merchandise and had huge followings. The great thing about tag teams is you sell double the merchandise when it comes to action figures and collectables. Please WWE, tag team wrestling and a decent divas division by next year’s WM.
Obviously these are all just hopes and dreams of mine but it’s quite interesting to think ahead to WM29 and think about what possibly might be booked with the talent and stories they’ve been pushing. In the spirit of opinions, what would you readers like to see happen at WrestleMania 29? Who would you like to see square off for the WWE Title and WHC? Who would you like to see try and attempt to end The Undertakers streak? Any specific matches you’d like to see?
James Bones
@violentshadows
violentshadows@hotmail.com
Ringsidehustle.com 
No Sheamus in there which I don’t know if I can forgive you for that.
DEFINITELY wish to see Christian vs Daniel Bryan. Christian’s bouts with Randy Orton were some of the best matches last year, and if Christian was to go one on one with Daniel Bryan I think it’s be like cookies and cream. (An amazing combination for anyone who didn’t pick that up!) I’d like to see Christian win at Mania, specifically a World title. I dunno if you guys over see saw the advert about the matches scheduled for Dublin, Ireland and Belfast, Northern Ireland but the main event of the shows is Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus vs Christian for the WHC. So I guess they’re looking to put Christian back in the title scene again (which, side note: would be more likely if Team Johnny won at Mania.. HMMMMM)
Also agree 150% about Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd. Both are amazing and deserve so much more credit than they get.
Another side note: Miz wants a match at Mania, why not give him a match against A-Ry. Damn that rivalry could have went somewhere other than nowhere. A-Ry’s so cool but hugely underused.
#LongComment
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How would you book your WM29 though? You don’t have to go into crazy detail but tell me. See then! Sheamus could be added to the DB vs. Christian match next year. Hhaha. That’s a wicked combo. I actually left out a lot of good talent. I just picked the top matches I’d really like to see. Perhaps ADR vs. Rey vs. Sin Cara in a burrito on a pole match. They usually have some corny thing happening. lol.
I’m more interesting in actually seeing other peoples WM29 matches they want to happen than my own, so write it up, yo.
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See I dunno where I’d put Sheamus in. I love the idea of DB-Christian. I’m excited to see the three way in Belfast.
For me, next year I’d have.
Divas: Natalya vs Kharma
Rey Mysterio vs Sin Cara
Hunico vs Justin Gabriel vs Tyson Kidd for the IC title
Taker vs Cena
Stone Cold vs Punk
Daniel Bryan vs Christian for WHC
Sheamus vs Ziggler for WWE title.
BOOM BITCHES. But The Rock did say he was wrassling next Mania so he could be in the dark match getting a small paycheck 🙂
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I like yours as well. I would love to see Stone Cold vs. Punk.
Hearing that The Rock was at next years Mania just kinda makes me wonder if they would bring in another big name if he’s already going to be there. Enough of The Rock. LOL!
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Stone Cold vs Punk I think would be bigger than Rock vs Cena.
Yeah, to be honest The Rock is a sour taste in my mouth at the moment. I can’t push past the fact that I think he’s back for the money and fame again. I mean, sure he has loads of movies and could retire today but for some reason I still feel he’s out for the money. There’s so many points that validate why The Rock has came back, and how it should be acceptable that he’s in the Mania main event but I think I just hold a shit lot more respect for Cena because he helps out FCW stars, wrestles constantly, never takes breaks, does all the charity work going and has generally just been a good guy (apart from the Lillian Garcia thing on SD) whereas The Rock left us. In my mind if you love something as much as you say you do then why quit it?
End of the rant.
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Rock/Austin could be seen as equals. Punk needs more time to get to Cena’s level of fame.
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Your main card looks spot on and to be honest I never thought of Jericho challenging the Streak, but man that would be a good storyline!
However, I do not want Cena v Rock again next year. It is currently being billed as ‘Once in a lifetime’ just would not sit right being 3 times in a year. WWE don’t slap your fans in the face.
Would love to see Ziggler hit main event, he needs to stop selling and start winning.
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Yeah I just think Jericho vs. Taker would be epic. For some reason the thought of it gives me an old school wrestling feel, but it would be something so damn new.
Maybe I’m jumping the gun with the Cena/Rock thing. I did it just assuming that they are doing a best out of three match. I heard they might be doing the final match at WM29 though. I’d rather not see it again like you, but if they’re doing it, and doing a best out of 3 series I’d rather see them at Mania. If that doesn’t happen, I’d actually prefer to see Stone Cold in there. But then my Ziggler/Punk match wouldn’t happen because Punk would be busy w/ Austin. I wish.
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I think Punk and Austin would have excellent chemistry together, possibly better than Rock/Cena. They would compliment each other well (as in like cheese and wine, not ‘Hey Austin, those jean shorts look really cute on you’)
Yeah I heard the best of 3, but to be honest a year of it has worn on me I really couldn’t take another year of it.
I cant even remember the last match Taker and Jericho had. Even though they’ve got two old skool wrestlers it would produce new, fresh material… with some great results.
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LOL @ hey Austin, those jean shorts look really cute on you.
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Nice list, James.
Ziggler is certainly ‘over’ IMO and just needs the WWE title to make him a mian eventer, would love him vs. Punk at WM 29, would be epic.
I’ll reply again in a bit, don’t have much time at the sec 😦
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Thanks! I hope they let Ziggs run with it this year.
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What do you think the U.S Title situation will be come WM 29?
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I hope something with TedDiBiase actually. The guy deserves something as he’s been floating in the background for a while now. All his hard work with legacy and everything I really thought he would be the one to have a midcard title before Cody.
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I’m sure a lot of us thought that. The same goes for Morrison/Miz. I’m sure a lot of us thought Morrison was gonna be WWE/World Champion before Miz but it didn’t happen that way.
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I didn’t actually, I’ve never been a huge fan of Morrison. His mic work has always been a bit awkward to me and his whole Jim Morrison rip off gimmick has never done it for me. I hope if he does return he’s totally repackaged. The parkour is corny to me, too. I enjoyed Miz after they first broke up the best. He had a bit of his MTV personality in there. I always figured they’d invest in him more because he was more mainstream. Now he’s just stale as hell.
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I happen to like Morrison. I always thought his mic skills were better as a heel.
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Are you talking MNM, because that was when I actually liked him. More up to date kind of persona IMO.
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That, when he was ECW champion, and part of Miz/Morrison. But that’s just one person’s opinion 🙂
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Um like when MNM was on Raw…..with Mercury/Melina. Or do you mean, that and? You like him from both then and ECW time? That’s when like Miz had his capri pants and weird hats?
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What?
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Yeah I liked him from MNM, ECW, and his tag days with Miz.
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Erm, this will make it easy…What does this mean? you said “That, when he was ECW champion, and part of Miz/Morrison. But that’s just one person’s opinion :)”
does that mean you liked him during his MNM days, when he was ecw champ and miz morrison? I just don’t understand your statement.
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Yeah. Hopefully that clears it up.
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How would you book man? No one is telling me theirs and that was the point of this! heheh
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I hope the Streak match doesn’t involve them actually streaking.
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Taker: “Loooook at mahhhhh wrinkled uppp oooolllddd asssss!”
Jericho passes out and Taker wins via 10 count.
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Actually, I can see that.
What about combining a Streak match with an Inferno match? Ouch!
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LOL scalded asses all over the place. Are they even doing inferno matches due to the PG crap? I don’t even remember the last one that took place.
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The last one I remember was MVP vs. Kane whe MVP started to come into his own.
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Ahh MVP. Another guy I always that was going to have the WWE Title. His push was going awesome for a bit then……blah. I don’t know why the push slowed down, because he was coming out every Smackdown and putting on a good show. Japan has probably made him so damn smooth in the ring, too.
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He said he’s always welcome back in WWE, so he might show up sometime.
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wat streak match u talking about
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Undertakers streak!
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Where’s Truth?
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u.s title
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No idea. Ted DiBiase, Sin Cara, or any mid-carder that deserves it.
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I’m sure they’ll throw together a US title match, they seem to every year.
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Exactly. At least it’s had some air time lately with Santino winning it.
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And it helps that Santino is over.
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I think it could be Cena v Taker next year. Doubt the rock v Cena will be a series of matches. I think Christian is awesome but sadly he won’t be in a title run again in my view.
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I could see him if somebody is injured. He has enough cred with the crowd that they would buy him as a champ if he needed to fill that role.
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Cena vs. Taker would be something different too, at least. I wouldn’t mind that at all. I really hope a best out of 3 doesn’t happen.
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Taker’s 47, so he could only do so much. Rock has much less wear and tear.
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Sorry that I’ve been a little inactive lately on the comment box. I’m doing a lot of work for WM next week and getting 3 podcasts organised on WR for next week. We got a WM competition with info on that coming later today.
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Excuses. Excuses.
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I can assure you LOTS of WM coverage starting from tomorrow!
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No worries boss, it happens.
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I have something ”secret” planned that nobody knows about, starting tomorrow 😛
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Gahhh secrets make me anxious!?! What’s this?
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I stand by my excuses line. If you wanted to, you could kidnap somebody and force them to do so. But you won’t, because this site really isn’t that important to you.
Kidding, of course. We understand, but I do like how you do keep us up to date. It shows how much you respect your readers.
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Boom!
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Ray is really Kofi?
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Very intriguing article. I do wonder how creative would manage to keep a Rock-Cena program interesting for three consecutive Manias. To me, it may play out better for them to have a rematch at Summerslam and then have the third match at WM29. But Rock has gone on record of saying he’ll be involved in next year’s show so you never know…..
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Thank you! By the sounds of it if it’s going to be a best out of three people want it to be over with my next Mania. Do you think they’ll bring in Austin or something next year?
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I still say this whole match should be about respect, not insults.
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I think the follow up match will be about respect because they’ll have one of those matches byy fighting each other, they’ve proven how good they are to EACH OTHER.
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I hope so.
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I heard that Austin or Lesnar could be involved next year. I know Taker vs. Lesnar has been discussed or maybe a Punk vs. Austin program. For some reason, I don’t think Austin’s return will mean as much as Rock’s since Austin doesn’t have the mainstream (as in non-wrestling fans) appeal of Rock.
If you ask me, aside from Taker’s streak, they should focus more on the future instead of relying on HHH, Rock or Austin.
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I would love to see Brock in there somewhere. Obviously Taker would still probably want to work with home somewhere down the road, too. Is Brock out of his UFC contract yet? Does anyone know?
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As much as would also love to see Dolph main evening consistently by next year, I reckon Punk-Stone Cold or perhaps even another Punk-Cena match may be in the offing if Rock isn’t back to have a rematch with Fruity Pebbles.
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If Punk-Stone Cold happens I think that would actually outsell Rock/Cena. I also hope they’d give us a lot more interaction between SC/Punk. Get Punk on a straight edge kick again and have Stone Cold just harass the hell out of him.
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I sincerely hope Ziggler is at mainevent status by this time next year.
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I’ll make a bet with you….if he isn’t, when you come up here to train you can top rope moonsault me right on my gibbled hip.
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Same – he is such an awesome worker and can talk and has a good look. He should be in a freakin singles match at Mania so that he can get the chance to steal the show. How can you get yourself over if you’re only ever given five minute windows to shine? Dolph may have to be more ruthless behind the scenes ala Punk if he is going to become a main eventer I fear.
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It should be their last dance or close to it, so I get why they are in this position. This is usually what happens during transition periods.
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Punk vs Ziggler – Yes please! Would prefer Taker to face a rising star however – would give them an awesome rub to be involved in a storyline revolving around the streak.
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You’re right, that would be a huge rub. Do you remember hearing rumors before last years Mania that Taker could be taking on Ted DiBiase Jr.? I was actually pumped with that idea because there was good history there. Maybe they will next year.
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No I didn’t know about that. Interesting…
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Christian vs Daniel Bryan would be amazing on the big stage – two of the three best workers along with Ziggler imo. Rock/Cena in 3 parts sounds good but I wouldn’t want to see all matches at Mania, that’d seem like overkill. Mania – Summerslam – Mania would suit the feud better I think. Very nice line up you’ve crafted there though.
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Thanks man appreciate the comment!
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Ever since the recent “Brock Lesnar is returning” rumor started, I want to see Cena vs. Brock. Just the thought of where Cena would be today had “The Next Big Thing” hadn’t left, gets me interested.
I definitely do not want to see another Rock/Cena match, though. If you build it as “Once in a Lifetime” it should be (and it should be “once in a lifetime”).
Oh, and congrats on finally someone passing my “Why the Network Will Fail” article, comments record. 😀
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Brock vs. Cena would be very damn interesting I must say. That sounds actually more interesting to me than Rock vs. Cena to be honest. It sounds like it won’t be best out of three if they are saying once in a lifetime. If it turns out to be three times in a lifetime I’ll be pissed off they lied. lol.
It shouldn’t count when at least half are my comments/replies, thank you though. I’m actually more pumped on the fact that people who’ve never commented on my stuff commented on this one. It’s wicked new faces are popping up.
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Oh yeah to answer the question at the end of the post. These are a few Mania matches I’d love to see next year:
Wrestlemania Streak vs Undefeated Streak: Undertaker vs Sheamus – Sheamus loses his title but then goes on like a 100 match winning streak (including house shows) and targets the ultimate streak of all – Taker’s wrestlemania legacy. To make people believe that the Irishman could break the streak, Sheamus beats everybody whose anybody the way including Triple H who he could defeat in some sort of qualifying match at the Chamber. Would love to see Sheamus and Taker in the ring together – think they would have great chemistry.
World heavyweight championship: Daniel Bryan vs Rey Mysterio – Technical genius vs high flying mastermind. Bryan would get great heat beating on Rey and the manoveurs and selling in this bout would be at another level. Does anyone know if these two have fought at all?
Wrestling World Cup: USA vs Rest of the World – A multi-tag match with clean US faces taking on knieving heels who hail from outside the USA. Winning team gets a trophy and bragging rights throughout the year. A good way to get guys on the card in a match that could really draw if built up properly.
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You’re officially my new hero with that tag world cup idea. I love it, and in reality it would be easy to pull off. Camacho/Hunico, Primo/Epico, Kofi/Zeke, then they could bring in Claudio or whatever his name in and hero. lol. I actually miss Kaientai, but more than that I miss Orient Express.
Sheamus vs. Taker would be bad ass and just a complete collision. I love when Taker is up against power houses (Batista and him were awesome IMO)
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Thanks man, can you imagine how passionate American fans would get over a world cup clash, especially if they were on the verge of losing. In fact in WWE you could probably do an annual USA vs Canada match. That would get really heated.
I love Tista / Taker too, I included it in my recent top ten Mania matches article. Their styles meshed so well together.
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Oh god that would be so intense. That might actually be the way to bring tag team wrestling back up to where it should be. I remember how hated Orient Express were especially going up against LOD from CHICAAAAGOOOO. lol. Fans love the whole global thing. I wish I could even read a fake tag team tournament right now I miss it so much.
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Yeah wwe do not do enough creatively with their multi-national roster.
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YES!! This is perfect booking. I was begging for Punk Ziggler this year as Dolph has had 2 years of low profile multi person matches the last 2 manias. But I would love it if this happened next year. ALTHOUGH these rumours of a cheeky Austin and/or Brock return are making me twinge a bit like. Austin-Punk, Brock-Cena, Brock-Rock, Austin-Cena, Brock-Taker, Brock-Hunter….any of these combos would do me nicely.
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I’ve been missing Brock for quite sometime. I give the guy credit for going to do what he wanted in UFC but now that he’s not up to par there, I’m almost thinking he’d want to come back for a few bucks. I’m mad that I have Rock/Cena there because I really thought they were doing a best out of 3. Now it’s once in a lifetime, so who the hell knows.
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Me too. I love Brock he was an absolute beast.
Hmm, I think the once in a lifetime if a marketing tactic only. If there is money in a rematch or two and the rock is willing to do it then they will absolutely happen
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I have no idea how Lesnar will fit in WM now that he’s already lost to Cena. It would be weird to have Brock vs. Rock when Rock has beaten Cena and Lesnar didn’t.
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