Wrestlemania XXX - Comments and Predictions

Tonight in New Orleans, WWE's annual carnival of wrestling arrives once more.  To be honest, I've found it hard to be very enthusiastic about this year's event, given a few problems with the card.  In particular, it's overpopulated; too many people are involved and this takes some of the shine off the event.  This should be an exclusive event, not a chance to give every jobber a payday.  Besides, the more people in the ring at the same time, the less chance is there of effective story-telling. Nonetheless, there are interesting possibilities here.  So here's my commentary on how the build-up has been (clue: not great in most cases)

Tag Team Title Match - The Usos (c) v. Los Matadores v. Real Americans v. Rybaxel

The Usos have looked very good as tag team champions, with fluent high-flying performances.  However, this feels like a random collection of teams thrown together for the pre-show.   Barely no build at all, as there is no logical program for any of the tag teams any more.  12 months ago, tag teams looked like a strong area for WWE, but they've let their eye off the ball lately.  The fact that this, one of only three title matches on the card, has been relegated to the pre-show, shows that they're no longer a priority.  Of the contenders Los Matadores are mere comedy filler, and The Real Americans are likely to split soon, so both can be safely discarded.   That leaves the two failed Paul Heyman guys, Rybaxel, as main contenders.  This saddens me, as Ryback is simply too poor a wrestler to be considered for any kind of title.  Curtis Axel's solid in the ring, but too bland.  No, they aren't true contenders.  A re-match with the Rhodes brothers would have been a better option.

WINNERS - The Usos retain (hopefully)

Vickie Guerrero Divas Championship Invitational

This has also been added at the last minute.  It looked like champion AJ Lee was having relatively serious feuds with the Bellas and Naomi, so to throw in every diva on the roster, including terrible performers like Aksana and Eva Marie, will only illustrate what a poor state the Divas division is in.  Recent multi-diva contests have been badly rushed affairs that made no-one look any good.  The odds are stacked against AJ, as it is clear that everyone else on the roster hates her, as Bad News Barrett pointed out a few weeks ago.  At least that part of the build has worked.  Naomi has the most impressive ring skills of any of the younger contenders, although the severity of how AJ has been booked recently almost suggests there'll be a swerve and she'll find a way of retaining.

WINNER - Naomi takes her first Divas title

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal (30 entrants)

Q: How do you if your WWE career's going nowhere?  A: You find out you've been entered for the inaugural Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal!   Seriously, naming a new event after the French legend is a touching gesture, but the line-up here is so underwhelming.  The only really big names are veterans like Big Show and Rey Mysterio, and there's little point in giving them the belts as they'll surely retire soon.  Meanwhile, there's a real overdose of jobbers filling out the card.  Many are predicting win for the Bulgarian bruiser Alexander Rusev, but for me it's too early.  He'll look strong, I'm sure, but he won't win.  Personally, I think they'll go with a reliable midcarder who's been picking up wins lately.

WINNER - Heath Sla....no, sorry, I mean Christian. 

The Shield v. Kane and the New Age Outlaws

The Shield have been one of the best reasons to watch WWE recently, but they simply have no chemistry with their Wrestlemania opponents, and I felt really disappointed when this was announced.   I think The New Age Outlaws overstayed their welcome after they were absurdly awarded the tag belts, and age has not treated them kindly.  One of the best things about the Shield is that they work at an excitingly fast rate; however, here they'll be forced to dial down the pace.  They'll still look good, but there's little tension here. 
  
WINNER - The Shield.  And hopefully that's the last we'll see of the New Age Outlaws.

John Cena v. Bray Wyatt

Funnily enough, I'm going into a Wrestlemania really looking forward to a John Cena match.  What a strange year this is...seriously, the build for this has been impressive.  Bray Wyatt is a world class mic worker who oozes sinister charisma, and for his part Cena has actually shown considerable vulnerability.  He actually seems willing to put Bray Wyatt over like he did with Daniel Bryan last year.   This could, no, should be very good indeed.  The Wyatt Family's inevitable involvement should tip the scales here.

WINNER - Bray Wyatt.  He's following the buzzards to New Orleans

The Undertaker v. Brock Lesnar

The build-up has been poor for several reasons.  Paul Heyman has tried his best on the mic, but the decision to barely allow Lesnar to place a finger on Taker has made him look weak and cowardly, which is just no good.  We all know that Taker will not lose here, but very good booking will be needed to hide the fact that the Dead Man is in terrible physical state.  This won't be a long match.

WINNER - The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan v. Triple H

I've written enough about this elsewhere in the blog, and I believe that Bryan should be allowed to go over here.  But I suspect there will be unfortunate shenanigans which will lead to both men entering the Championship match, turning it into a fatal 4-way.

WINNER - No result, possibly due to interventions by Vince/Hogan/Steph/Hornswoggle etc

World Championship Title Match - Randy Orton (c) v. Batista v. TBA

Frankly the build-up has been so skewed that this pair seem like bit-part players in the Trips v DB storyline, which is currently the dominant story in the WWE.  This is why I believe that both HHH and Bryan will be there at the big climax.  Batista looks like a mistake here; his return has been nothing short of disastrous and his performances have been lacklustre.  Randy Orton needs a fresh direction, as he's been downplayed as the Authority's puppet, and I sense he'll turn on HHH tonight, becoming a face in the process. If that happens, he may keep the belt, even though of course I'd prefer it if Daniel Bryan has his big Wrestlemania moment.

WINNER - Randy Orton retains.  I hope I'm wrong #Yesmovement

Well, there you have it.  It's really not a great bill, and that may even play into Daniel Bryan's hands.   Vince knows that it the event climaxes with the Yes Movement celebrating, any poor matches will quickly be forgotten.  See, I can be optimistic....