This doesn't bode well for the matches I fear will go unnecessarily long, specifically Hunter/Sting but also Taker/Wyatt and even Lesnar/Reigns.

Anybody have any thoughts on what look Taker will be going with at Mania? Photos from this week would suggest he's going in with short hair (and not the bald look in recent years) and a goatee:

 

 

But more to the point, I have an odd feeling he won't be wrestling in traditional "Deadman" garb, rather he'll be closer to the "Big Evil" 2002 look, perhaps suggesting a more "human" dimension to Taker now that the streak is over? As long as he doesn't wrestle in one of those awful Boxing tees he likes to wear...

He destroyed Wyatt's rocking chair with a lighting, I'd be surprised if he didn't return as the Deadman.

 

"The writers have zero to do with Brock vs. Reigns. It is all Vince. HHH may have some influence, but he'd be the only one because Vince is not taking input from anyone except him, and it's possible he'll listen to Heyman. Also, whatever his idea is, he's not telling ANYONE (except maybe HHH or if Dwayne' s involved, and I don't know if he is or not) as of today."

Dave Meltzer on the F4W Boards.

 

 

Well, if people still believe Vince hasn't lost it this Sunday will be a major test to prove that point right or wrong.

 

I think HHH's wacky entrances lend to fans hating his pretentiousness. On the special on Mania 30 he himself basically points out how douchey the Warrior God outfit was.

 

 

No way, that was f'n awesome

 

 

Maybe it's because I'm a huge Mortal Kombat mark, but that makes me think of this every time:

 

 

 

 

I mean, he even uses a hammer for a weapon.

It's not better than Wrath's outfit, to be honest. Sting needs to come out to Glacier's old music and light show.

FWIW, still getting calls from people asking how they can add WWE Network to their cable package to watch Mania. Made me realize for all the "ITS NAHN NAHNTY NAHN, MAGGLE" they do, they never really explain what it is and how you get it. I guess that would cut in their time they set aside for mocking people who pay for PPV.

I think HHH's wacky entrances lend to fans hating his pretentiousness. On the special on Mania 30 he himself basically points out how douchey the Warrior God outfit was.

 

HHH's entrance last year was a brilliant self parody. Add in the obnoxious Stephanie in the ring with the spotlight on her while dressed like Baby Doll at Starrcade.

Yeah, I think people underestimate how much of that persona is him taking the piss out of himself.

HHH's entrances at WM 22 and 30 are two of the most memorable WM moments of the last 10 years. I can't understand anyone calling themselves a fan of pro wrestling and not being able to appreciate something like that.

Absolutely. The ridiculous pageantry is the best part of Wrestlemania, to be honest.

Yea sorry but HHH's entrance at Mania last year was awesome.

Cena's promo on Jimmy Kimmel kicked ass. Corny Cena in a good way talking about all the American beer he's drinking and about driving John Deere tractors.

 

'Mericuh!

 

And wow, Cesaro and Kidd come off charismatic as hell on this pre show.

Yea sorry but HHH's entrance at Mania last year was awesome.

It was, but I just view it as being comedic. Not badass or anything like that.

I think that was the intent. This guy is this full of himself, basically.

Somewhere along the way, HHH decided to stop fighting the perception of him and instead embrace it.

Somewhere along the way, HHH decided to stop fighting the perception of him and instead embrace it.

Absolutely. I have enjoyed it more often than not.

One year he should come out on a chaise lounge being carried Hedonism Bot style by NXT trainees.

I love the idea of HHH being self-referential after he's done the damage to everyone in his path but I feel that it should have been shut down with Bryan beating him. I'm not expecting HHH/Sting to be good but now is not the time to drag up decades old promotional grudges. If you look at it, the next Intercontinental Champion has beat HHH, why should we care if Sting beats him? I'm looking forward to Mania in the sense that I'll wait for that guy from Reddit to post his spoilers and put a large accumulator based off it but I have no interest in any match outside of Rusev/Cena.

So according to Meltzer on his podcast, WWE is "full court pressing" to get Jim Ross back. He couldn't finish the story because his brother came to his house and Dave started talking to him and never went back to the JR subject (which was pretty funny). But he explained Ross wouldn't have been caught dead going to WWE shows and now he's front row at NXT and going to the HOF.

Hum, Global Force Wrestling finally caught the attention of Vince…

 

Really, can we get Ross to call Brock Lesnar's match now ?

When Jim Ross goes back and gets treated miserably, he deserves no sympathy.

Jim Ross deserves no sympathy anyway, really, at this point. But the announcing is soooooooo terrible, Brock at Mania deserves better than the three brain-deads paroting Vince.

So according to Meltzer on his podcast, WWE is "full court pressing" to get Jim Ross back. He couldn't finish the story because his brother came to his house and Dave started talking to him and never went back to the JR subject (which was pretty funny). But he explained Ross wouldn't have been caught dead going to WWE shows and now he's front row at NXT and going to the HOF.

 

Couple of things, first granted that is the format of Wrestling Culture (press record and just go with whatever happens) so I guess whatever works, but I find it hilarious that Meltzer didn't stop recording, and had to explain why he was thrown off when going back the podcast. Does he think there is a set time that he has to release his show?

 

Second, Ross was front row next to Austin at the HOF last year though. So this isn't a "new thing" that just happened with Ross and the WWE.

Steph and Hunter marking out over the NXT show last night was all kinds of great (Steph recording it). It's something you would never see from Vince. I so want to believe it's genuine

Hum, Global Force Wrestling finally caught the attention of Vince…

 

Really, can we get Ross to call Brock Lesnar's match now ?

 

I'd imagine its more realizing that they should have their VOICE still associated with the bigger matches.