The Wrestling Thread: WWE WrestleMania 31 [NSFW]

[KK]

According to Dave Meltzer, incredibly Vince McMahon apparently wants Lesnar vs Undertaker at ‘Mania – Streak vs UFC title. Only problem being, Lesnar’s lost the belt & his UFC contract wouldn’t allow it anyway. Dana White (UFC President) had no idea about it.

This whole Linda campaign business is sending Vince off the deep end ala Eric Bischoff in 1998. I mean, once all is said and done they’ll have lost about $50million. Raw’s going to be hilarious – especially prior & following the election. Especially if she loses (which is now looking likely).

WWE.com put up a release today claiming that Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz was denying wrestling fans of their first amendment rights when she stated that people at polls had the right to tell people showing up wearing WWE merchandise that they could be asked to change their clothes.

Bysiewicz said earlier today that people in charge of polling locales would have the authority to make that call because WWE was so heavily associated with Linda McMahon's candidacy.

Vince McMahon claimed that she was attempting to deny WWE fans the right to vote, which is not what was said, and that they are in violation of their first amendment rights.

This is laughable for a company that confiscates signs at its arenas and has a policy of not allowing fans visible on camera to wear T-shirts from other promotions.

[Balloon Sod]

According to Dave Meltzer, incredibly Vince McMahon apparently wants Lesnar vs Undertaker at ‘Mania – Streak vs UFC title. Only problem being, Lesnar’s lost the belt & his UFC contract wouldn’t allow it anyway. Dana White (UFC President) had no idea about it.

That would be incredible, but pretty impossible.

Imagine the buyrate, though. Lesnar could realistically bring an extra few hundred thousand buys to Mania. But it's even better:

As big wrestling fans, we know Taker is strawberry floating gold in the ring, and he works an MMA style. The match would be off the charts good.

For the non-wrestling fans, they've surely heard of The Undertaker; he's been wrestling for 25 years. Even my dad knows who he is. Can you name any male (or perhaps even female) under 35 that doesn't know who both Lesnar and Taker are?

Then there's the streak/title thing. No-one really knew the HBK/Taker finish, and double that for HBK/Taker 2. But Taker's streak vs the UFC Title? How on Earth would they have a finish for that? No way would White let Taker win, and is Vince going to let Taker job to an outsider?

It's probably not going to happen, but if it did, it would be the most exciting thing to happen to wrestling in years. Just imagine it; Undertaker's huge entrance, then Lesnar coming out in his MMA gear with Paul Heyman, with the UFC-style lasers and entourage.

Christ. I'd buy it several times.

[Cosmo]

WWE Bragging Rights
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett (with John Cena)
Winner (worth 3): Wade Barrett
Which one will Cena screw?
Prediction: Orton
World Heavyweight Champion Kane vs. The Undertaker (Buried Alive Match)
Winner (worth 3): Kane
Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown (WWE Bragging Rights Tag Team Elimination Match)
Winning Team (worth 5): Raw
First eliminated: Santino
Last eliminated: Edge
Survivor: The Miz
United States Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler
Winner (worth 2): Daniel Bryan
Divas Championship Match
Winner (worth 2): Laycool

[Balloon Sod]

I just realised something. If Wade Barrett wins tonight, it'll be the 2nd year running where the WWE champion isn't in the SVR game on release day. It was Sheamus last year.

It's great that they're pushing young blood, but that's pretty appalling. They should have stuck an extra few people on the team and put Wade Barrett in as a non-DLC character. They've had enough time.

Edit: I'm wrong. Sheamus wasn't champion for another month.

[zXe]

According to Dave Meltzer, incredibly Vince McMahon apparently wants Lesnar vs Undertaker at ‘Mania – Streak vs UFC title. Only problem being, Lesnar’s lost the belt & his UFC contract wouldn’t allow it anyway. Dana White (UFC President) had no idea about it.

That would be incredible, but pretty impossible.

Imagine the buyrate, though. Lesnar could realistically bring an extra few hundred thousand buys to Mania. But it's even better:

As big wrestling fans, we know Taker is strawberry floating gold in the ring, and he works an MMA style. The match would be off the charts good.

For the non-wrestling fans, they've surely heard of The Undertaker; he's been wrestling for 25 years. Even my dad knows who he is. Can you name any male (or perhaps even female) under 35 that doesn't know who both Lesnar and Taker are?

Then there's the streak/title thing. No-one really knew the HBK/Taker finish, and double that for HBK/Taker 2. But Taker's streak vs the UFC Title? How on Earth would they have a finish for that? No way would White let Taker win, and is Vince going to let Taker job to an outsider?

It's probably not going to happen, but if it did, it would be the most exciting thing to happen to wrestling in years. Just imagine it; Undertaker's huge entrance, then Lesnar coming out in his MMA gear with Paul Heyman, with the UFC-style lasers and entourage.

Christ. I'd buy it several times.

In theory I suppose they (WWE) could do a exhibitionist MMA vs wrestling match, a storyline where UFC fighter fights WWE fighter with the belts on the line, but only a part of the storyline. The UFC would obviously never allow their belt to legitimately be on the line. Both sports are totally different, ones a real combat sport the other is sports entertainment. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against pro wrestling, I enjoyed it growing up big time. But this shouldn't happen, nor would it happen.

[Lotus]

Those who haven't seen UFC 121 won't want to open this, but for everyone else talking Brock and the Undertaker...

[Balloon Sod]

In theory I suppose they (WWE) could do a exhibitionist MMA vs wrestling match, a storyline where UFC fighter fights WWE fighter with the belts on the line, but only a part of the storyline. The UFC would obviously never allow their belt to legitimately be on the line. Both sports are totally different, ones a real combat sport the other is sports entertainment. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against pro wrestling, I enjoyed it growing up big time. But this shouldn't happen, nor would it happen.

Yup. UFC has gone to great lengths to distance themselves from pro wrestling, and this would be a big step back. But a simple Best in MMA (which they'd promote Lesnar as) vs Best in WWE match would still do big business, and I don't think it would hurt UFC at all. It would no doubt make Brock really hated in the Octagon again; during his fight with Carwin he essentially turned face. Brock is probably worth more to the UFC as a hated bully.

If it does happen, the WWE can't promote it as 'real'. It's always a flop when wrestling companies do it, whether it be in North America or Japan's half work, half shoot promotions.

I'd really love to see it.

[sw26]

It's great to see Taker out of character again - while I have always loved the Deadman gimmick I do miss the Biker gimmick when he would just talk like that in his promos rather than the gothic undead shtick.

[Cosmo]

Back again?

Undertaker seems to look a bit younger in that video than he does when he's wrestling. Hanger on McCool in the background as well.

[KK]

I liked the Undertaker in 1997/1998/1999, because while he retained his "deadman" persona, that's all it was - a persona. The WWF had no problems in breaking it when necessary. 'No, this guy isn't really dead...& no he doesn't arrive to the arena wearing this nonsense'.

[Poncho]

Only problem being, Lesnar’s lost the belt & his UFC contract wouldn’t allow it anyway.

Thanks for that. That'll teach me for coming into the wrestling thread and running into a UFC spoiler.

[teh bork]

WWE Bragging Rights

WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett (with John Cena)
Winner (worth 3): Randy Orton
Which one will Cena screw?
Prediction: Orton

World Heavyweight Champion Kane vs. The Undertaker (Buried Alive Match)
Winner (worth 3): Undertaker

Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown (WWE Bragging Rights Tag Team Elimination Match)
Winning Team (worth 5): Raw
First eliminated: Santino
Last eliminated: Edge
Survivor: Miz

United States Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler
Winner (worth 2): Daniel Bryan

Divas Championship Match
Winner (worth 2): Laycool

[Mockmaster]

I will bend the DQing you from the solo comp as that is a tad unfair. But you definitely are out of tag running.

We've waited for this final for 4 damn months and it's going to end like THIS?!

Can't you DQ him from the singles and keep him in the Tag?

No-one wants to see a 2 on 1 Squash match for the tag belts. Have you no respect for the history and legacy of the title? Come on man let's get this match done and make some money together.

[Psychic]

Or maybe Mocky should have a mystery partner?

WWE Bragging Rights

WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett (with John Cena)
Winner (worth 3): Barrett
Which one will Cena screw?
Prediction: Orton

World Heavyweight Champion Kane vs. The Undertaker (Buried Alive Match)
Winner (worth 3): Undertaker

Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown (WWE Bragging Rights Tag Team Elimination Match)
Winning Team (worth 5): Raw
First eliminated: Santino
Last eliminated: Mysterio
Survivor: Miz

United States Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler
Winner (worth 2): Daniel Bryan

Divas Championship Match
Winner (worth 2): Laycool

[Balloon Sod]

Lesnar is apparently back in Minnesota today, where Bragging Rights is taking place.

However, I really can't see Lesnar showing up. Plus, he's probably going to be watching the Packers/Vikings game, like everyone else in the USA. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[Chocolate Jim]

I will bend the DQing you from the solo comp as that is a tad unfair. But you definitely are out of tag running.

We've waited for this final for 4 damn months and it's going to end like THIS?!

Can't you DQ him from the singles and keep him in the Tag?

No-one wants to see a 2 on 1 Squash match for the tag belts. Have you no respect for the history and legacy of the title? Come on man let's get this match done and make some money together.

Indeed come on Rog McMahon surely you can flex the rules ... I posted 31 minutes after a midday deadline ... its hardly like I posted 30 mins before the event benefiting from any spoilers.

As Michael Cole says ..... NOT THIS WAY

[Mafro]

[sw26]

Wat? Are they still pulling this 'Taker is a superhero' gooseberry fool?

Now I'm as big a 'Taker mark as you'll find but God damn, it's 2010 people.

[HailToTheKingBaby!]

Possible spoiler for tonights Barrett/Orton title match?

Just watching Fridays smackdown on my Sky+ and they're advertising the live RAW broadcast coming from Manchester on 8th Nov. They've just said the main event will be a triple threat match for the world heavyweight championship between Cena, Sheamus and Orton so that suggests that assuming it's the actual main event then Orton will be retaining tonight so I guess he either wins clean meaning Cena doesn't need to be fired or Cena somehow manages to screw Barratt out of the title in a way that doesn't get him fired - interesting to see how they end up putting him into a title match though as you'd assume the if Cena's still in Nexus that Barrett would order him to surrender the match to him or something. Unless it's going to be that Cena wins the title then hands it to barrett?

[KK]

Only problem being, Lesnar’s lost the belt & his UFC contract wouldn’t allow it anyway.

Thanks for that. That'll teach me for coming into the wrestling thread and running into a UFC spoiler.

Apologies for that. I, erm, didn't think.

(skip to 5:37)