The Montreal Screw Blog

1. Someone flirt/be a real threat to Undertaker’s Wrestlemania win streak. I know this is a total long term play, and they need it to be an absolute blue chipper of a prospect and commit to the idea, but it could be a lot of fun down the road. It would have to be someone like a Grayson Waller/Austin Theory type of guy, preferably a heel who could go on a long streak and as soon as it hit 5 or so, could start bringing it up. Logistically, it could be incredibly tough but if they have a new John Cena/Randy Orton type that they strap the rockets to push-wise, it could be in play. By the way, I hope it doesn’t end up breaking the streak, but it would be really fun if it got to within 3 to 1 wins shy and see how it goes. You could actually base someone’s whole persona around it if you really wanted to.

2. No more hosts. I’m sick of it. Swashbuckler Hogan in Tampa with Titus O’Neil? Gee, I wonder if that was an attempt to boost Hogan’s character over some controversial occurance. The New Day hosting instead of wrestling in their prime? Dumb! That was an awesome moment reintroducing the Hardy Boyz to WWE but they should have been having a banger of a match like they usually did! I never want to see the Rock host Mania. Kim Kardashian’s hosting duties at Mania XXIV? Forgettable! No one cares for it. No one wants it. Just stop it.

3. The Andre The Giant Battle Royale to mean something! Listen, I’m not saying you have to make it a money in the bank situation where the winner gets a heavyweight title shot, but can we fix it a bit? It was a cool idea when it first debuted and I’d reckon’ people enjoyed it. Cesaro winning the inaugural one was a true Wrestlemania Moment when he lifted Big Show over the ropes. I don’t think I’m the only one who thought that there would be a massive push for Cesaro starting the next night on Raw. Sadly, nothing really happened and it was a damn shame.

In case you forgot (I sure did) here are the list of winners in order: Cesaro, Big Show, Baron Corbin, Mojo Rawley, Matt Hardy, Braun Strowman, Jey Uso, Madcap Moss, and Bobby Lashley. To be honest, all of these guys are good candidates to have massive pushes after their respective win, but WWE let them down. Jey Uso has a big push now but it’s 3 years now after he won it. Big Show was definitely a “Hey you’ve kicked ass for us for years so we’ll throw you a bone” type of deal. I bet Madcap Moss even forgets that he once one the Andre the Giant Battle Royale. My suggestion? How about the winner gets a US or IC title shot the first Raw after ‘Mania? Or maybe at the next PPV? It may be better off having an NXT or young star win to give him a bit of a head start. Just make it worth SOMETHING!

4. More scenarios where night 1 can impact night 2 of Wrestlemania. I am not a big fan of the 2 nights of ‘Mania but I understand it. What started as a Covid era idea has turned into “Hey we an sell out a football stadium 2 nights in a row!” idea. I can’t fault them for that. Makes all the sense in the world and at this rate, I doubt it will ever change. Knowing that, I love the fact that this year the night 1 main event has huge implications for night 2. It wasn’t too long ago that we were all angry at the fact that the 2 main events were going to be Rock vs. Roman and Rhodes vs. Rollins. It truly felt like Vince never left and the booking of Mania was ruined once again. Instead, to their credit, WWE listened (thank you HHH) and booked Rock and Roman vs. Rhodes and Rollins, and then we get Roman vs. Rhodes and Rollins vs. McIntyre in respective title matches. No matter what happens, if the Rhodes vs. Reigns match is straight up or if it’s Bloodline Rules, it will be an interesting stipulation. It immediately made the night 1 tag match one of the most important matches in WWE history! It was brilliant!

They saved themselves and then some! I can honestly tell you that this is the most I’ve looked forward to Mania in a while. I was about to tune it out until the ol’ switcheroo happened. I love this idea and hope they do more scenarios where a match on night 1 can impact night 2. It could be a lot of fun for number 1 contender matches or tournaments or whatever. Gotta give credit where credit is due: WWE listened and they absolutely smashed it out of the park.

5. Make Money In The Bank matches exclusive to Wrestlemania. Yep! I am not fond of the match specific PPVs. I would be thrilled if they got rid of the MITB, Hell in a Cell, Elimination Chamber and TLC premium live events. I think it’s so much more fun when you can get one of those matches during a random PLE like Backlash or something. I feel that when there is more than one of those special matches on one card the fans get bored by it towards the end. When it’s a special attraction during one night compared to other regular matches, it holds much more weight interest-wise.

I thought the MITB matches at Mania made a ton of sense! I know lots of wrestling fans consider Mania to be the end of that wrestling season, with the Raw afterwards being the start of a new season. Why not make the cash-in contracts start then and there? Look at this Mania, okay there’s a slight chance that Damian Priest might shock the world and cash on in, but the truth is he has until July 1st to cash it in. Now, imagine the pressure with this loaded Wrestlemania between Cody finishing the story against Roman or not, AND the added situation of Priest on the last day of his cash in? It would be fantastic. I’m not saying they need to keep every briefcase run a full year long, but it could make things a whole lot more fun come ‘Mania season.

Lastly, you can easily take advantage of the 2 nights of ‘Mania by having the ladies MITB match and the mens MITB match on separate nights, that way both crowds can see a kick ass ladder match that almost always delivers!

I’m pumped for Mania. I have a friend’s wedding on Saturday night so I’m going to have to sadly watch after the fact but night 2 I will be ALIVE. I hope to blog more this week, so stay tuned!