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[strobogo]

The only thing I would change about the show is Cena losing because that made the most sense from a storyline perspective, from a Bray's push perspective, and from the over all theme of the night. Cena is the only "old generation" guy who didn't put over young talent. Kane and the NAO were straight up squashed. Big Show got man handled and slammed over the top rope in the match that everyone thought he was going to win. HHH jobbed clean AND got hit with his own sledgehammer in the main event. Batista tapped clean. Fucking UNDERTAKER lost 100% clean. It sure seemed like the whole theme of the show was the New New Generation breaking through and taking their place as the top guys. Except for Cena. And that really deflated the crowd. Cena is a dude who very recently was open and honest about WWE's failure to create new stars, and the young talent today not pushing hard enough to get what they want. Yet he had the chance to put over a new guy, to MAKE a new star at Wrestlemania, and they went with the laziest finish they could do. I do not at all believe that if Cena wanted to lose this match, that HHH/Vince would over ride him. Not everything is about making the kids happy. Hulk Hogan got crushed once in a while. You know what would make the kids even happier? If Cena lost and struggled and really had to fight to win the over all feud. To actually over come the odds. To show weakness and fight through it. I'm not a super Cena hater or anything, but I really feel like if he wanted to put Bray over, Bray would have gone over.


MAYBE I would have liked to see the Taker/Brock build up be different. The shock of the loss was great, but I think they could have done it like Flair and HBK where them losing was as much of a draw as anything else. But then the shock of the loss wouldn't have had as much of an impact, so idk. But seeing how Taker was physically, I think going all in with the build that he was over matched and then have him dominated for most of the match might have been the right call.



Mr. Wonderful's voice bummed me out. Vader mentioned in his shoot that Paul had throat cancer. I'm actually amazed they brought him back at all, because outside of the year he went in the HOF, he seems to have been pretty ignored by Vince.

 

[TimeEffect]

Should Taker/Lesnar have been close call after close call with Brock being built up every week, legitimately looking like he could end the streak?

Or should it have been the way it was, haphazardly put together, with no indication or hint at all that the streak was in jeopardy?

Even Punk last year looked like he would end the streak, especially with how much the story was built around that legacy.

But I very rarely remember that with this PPV, with Lesnar not even having initially challenged Taker. Undertaker literally handpicked Lesnar.

I can't tell if the build up was just real shitty, as was the match, or if it was all done on purpose to make the swerve that much more shocking.

 

[Browny]

Just caught up on the results... Wow. There's no doubt that people will be talking about it, which is exactly what they're after.

Taker has enough of a legacy that he could retire without a WM streak... Losing is such a huge thing though:

I'll be interested in seeing how they're going to book Lesnar over the next 6 months. They have to give him the belt so he can headline WM31, but they still want Batista to be main-eventing over the summer...

Really happy for Cesaro - hopefully they can continue to build him up, and see where he goes. A couple of months against Swagger and Zeb, before moving onwards and upwards.

Divas match - lol.

And well done Bryan. Fought against the odds, came out on top, and no-one got buried (apart from my avatar).

 

[strobogo]

 

[JesseEwiak]

No, we're asking cena to put over a guy fast becoming one of the top heels in the company, and a guy who Bryan put over CLEAN at the rumble, and who the Shield put over at the chamber and the following night.

Plenty of heels beat Ricky Steamboat and Brutus Beefcake before Hogan dropped the big leg on 'em.

 

[Hasney]

Hey guys, another beautiful morning here. Must have fallen asleep because I had the craziest dream the streak was over. I'll have to watch it again and see what happened. What are you guys talking about?

...

SHIT IT'S REAL.

Seriously, still love that ending. Makes up for the terrible match since Taker clearly couldn't go anymore. The only time the crowd being silent was a good thing.

 

[HerbertFish]

Should Taker/Lesnar have been close call after close call with Brock being built up every week, legitimately looking like he could end the streak?

Or should it have been the way it was, haphazardly put together, with no indication or hint at all that the streak was in jeopardy?

Even Punk last year looked like he would end the streak, especially with how much the story was built around that legacy.

But I very rarely remember that with this PPV, with Lesnar not even having initially challenged Taker. Undertaker literally handpicked Lesnar.

I can't tell if the build up was just real shitty, as was the match, or if it was all done on purpose to make the swerve that much more shocking.

I'm pretty confident the build was just unintentionally shitty but it ended up for the better.

 

[HappenstanceUK]

You know I figured the streak would end eventually but I thought it would at least be to someone deserving. Not Brock fucking Lesnar!

 

[Xater]

Man they are really getting behind Cesaro as it seems. Him winning the Battle Royal was awesome.

I really did not care for the Cena match. Too much storytelling and not enough wrestling.

 

[Hasney]

The only thing I would change about the show is Cena losing because that made the most sense from a storyline perspective, from a Bray's push perspective, and from the over all theme of the night. Cena is the only "old generation" guy who didn't put over young talent. Kane and the NAO were straight up squashed. Big Show got man handled and slammed over the top rope in the match that everyone thought he was going to win. HHH jobbed clean AND got hit with his own sledgehammer in the main event. Batista tapped clean. Fucking UNDERTAKER lost 100% clean. It sure seemed like the whole theme of the show was the New New Generation breaking through and taking their place as the top guys. Except for Cena. And that really deflated the crowd. Cena is a dude who very recently was open and honest about WWE's failure to create new stars, and the young talent today not pushing hard enough to get what they want. Yet he had the chance to put over a new guy, to MAKE a new star at Wrestlemania, and they went with the laziest finish they could do. I do not at all believe that if Cena wanted to lose this match, that HHH/Vince would over ride him. Not everything is about making the kids happy. Hulk Hogan got crushed once in a while. You know what would make the kids even happier? If Cena lost and struggled and really had to fight to win the over all feud. To actually over come the odds. To show weakness and fight through it. I'm not a super Cena hater or anything, but I really feel like if he wanted to put Bray over, Bray would have gone over.


MAYBE I would have liked to see the Taker/Brock build up be different. The shock of the loss was great, but I think they could have done it like Flair and HBK where them losing was as much of a draw as anything else. But then the shock of the loss wouldn't have had as much of an impact, so idk. But seeing how Taker was physically, I think going all in with the build that he was over matched and then have him dominated for most of the match might have been the right call.



Mr. Wonderful's voice bummed me out. Vader mentioned in his shoot that Paul had throat cancer. I'm actually amazed they brought him back at all, because outside of the year he went in the HOF, he seems to have been pretty ignored by Vince.

I said during the Cena match that with how fantastic it was, I wouldn't care if Cena won... If Cena succumb to the dark side and beat the crap out of him. Something Bray could spin off as a win in his head at least. Instead, we got Cena run in over to hug a kid.

Agree about the Taker thing. They should have made it so Heyman goaded Taker into the match and he only accepts if Paul and Brocks careers are on the line, because he's sick of seeing them do this same shit to try and stop him.

 

[Xater]

WHAT THE FUCK?

They let that fucking part timer brat the streak? What the hell are they thinking?

 

[abstract alien]

Hey guys, another beautiful morning here. Must have fallen asleep because I had the craziest dream the streak was over. I'll have to watch it again and see what happened. What are you guys talking about?

...

SHIT IT'S REAL.

Seriously, still love that ending. Makes up for the terrible match since Taker clearly couldn't go anymore. The only time the crowd being silent was a good thing.

The moment the ref's hand hit the mat and the absolute silence that followed along with facial expressions was just odd. Crazy moment to experience.

 

[UberTag]

Man they are really getting behind Cesaro as it seems. Him winning the Battle Royal was awesome.

It's a refreshing change from last year when Cesaro was an afterthought and depended on other people to wear his merchandise to get any kind of Mania exposure.

 

[Trojan X]

WHAT THE FUCK?

They let that fucking part timer brat the streak? What the hell are they thinking?

That part-timer brat is one of the badess men on the planet. Do not look down at Brock Lesnar because he cannot roar like a lion and so on. Brock IS the real deal and he proven it countless times, in and outside wrestling (UFC); his accolades in WWE cannot be ignored compared to others out there. The streak ended with the best person out there. Heck, if the streak ended with Sting then I think a lot of people would have been pissed despite how much they love Sting. Why? Because it is too obvious. This way was indeed the best way and it sets up Sting vs Undertaker nicely - Legend vs Legend.

 

[wizard]

That part-timer brat is one of the badess men on the planet. Do not look down at Brock Lesnar because he cannot roar like a lion and so on. Brock IS the real deal and he proven it countless times, in and outside wrestling (UFC); his accolades in WWE cannot be ignored compared to others out there. The streak ended with the best person out there. Heck, if the streak ended with Sting then I think a lot of people would have been pissed despite how much they love Sting. Why? Because it is too obvious. This way was indeed the best way and it sets up Sting vs Undertaker nicely - Legend vs Legend.

Nah, Lesnar couldn't even hold down the UFC when the Heavyweight division was at its weakest point.

 

[TimeEffect]

It's a refreshing change from last year when Cesaro was an afterthought and depended on other people to wear his merchandise to get any kind of Mania exposure.

Whens Cesaro debuting that new, cheesy awesome Murica shirt?

 

[Xater]

Of course Brie and Nikki botch their first spot in the match.

So far it is the clusterfuck I expected.

 

[Serpentine]

The moment the ref's hand hit the mat and the absolute silence that followed along with facial expressions was just odd. Crazy moment to experience.

Yeah, tell me about it. I was at a friend's place watching it, and he's a huge Undertaker mark. he was... not pleased. in fact, he was STUNNED. everyone in the room was. i couldn't believe what actually happened.

I was actually thinking as Brock had him up, "damn, Taker kicking out of a third F5? Brock's gonna look like such a fucking bitch when this is over"

 

[PHOENIXZERO]

Good lord, the plants and WWE just doesn't give a fuck anymore if anyone notices.

Shocked he lost but not upset, Taker's wanted to end the streak for years now and I think it was definitely time, it's cool and all be but despite his first name, Mark isn't a mark hung up on a pretend streak. The only thing I wish was that Brock could've pulled out an SSP to end it, it would've added to an already surprising and stronger outcome. Of course that's assuming Brock in 2014 could still actually pull it off though I guess nearly killing himself did make Brock never want to try it again anyway.

This allows for the Sting match (if it happens, as sad as it may turn out) to be built on the story of the WCW Icon vs the WWE Icon finally facing each other without being weighed down by the streak nonsense that would completely write off Sting having any chance and potentially allow it to be more interesting. That is if the match is actually happening next year of course.

Shield winning by squash, not unexpected and I'm not mad. Do wish they'd tone down with Reigns wankfest.

Cena winning was IMO the worst ending of the night but gotta keep the kiddies happy. Cena shouldn't have won that match, regardless of the storyline continuing. You don't build stories where the face decisively goes over the heel cleaning from the start. You just don't.

The battle royal, I expected Rusev to be added and win it after they took Cesaro out but then they put him back in and no Rusev so I knew he was going to win. Good on Cesaro that it's another sign that his time is coming.

I skipped through much of the Divas cluster fuck AJ winning seemed like an expected conclusion though I had a feeling they'd actually pull the trigger on her losing it to a Total Diva without being the one pinned. Tomorrow though she's probably dropping it to a Total Diva, Summer Rae makes sense to me, if not tomorrow probably soon. Hope that'll eventually lead to Paige getting on the main show with the anti-Diva schtick.

DB beating Triple H and winning the title, predictable but needed to happen, a great moment that maybe was a touch deflated after the shocking end to the streak, I imagine Orton felt pretty shitty after that match after hitting that monitor. Going to see how things go from here with Bryan. Stephanie's suit/short, tight skirt (or shorts, whatever) was a total sexy boss fantasy outfit, straight up Brazzers shit. Gat damn sweet baby Jeebus!

Good show overall but holy hell do I wish the announce team would be revamped if not outright replaced JBL has been such a shit heel color guy pretty much since he came back, Cole is Cole and Cole is a condescending puppet who has only sounded sincere one time in 15 years and that was after Lawler nearly dropped dead next to him and speaking of Lawler, he hasn't given a fuck since 2000. Sure a fair bit of it is crap Vince, Dunn or someone else in the back is feeding them but it's not been working for years now. Besides that it did once again highlight one of my bigger pet peeves in recent years. The amount of false finishes was again ridiculous and happening way too damn much, especially after finishers. They really need to get away from using it, especially when it occurs several times in the night in various matches.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Plenty of heels beat Ricky Steamboat and Brutus Beefcake before Hogan dropped the big leg on 'em.

you're right

hulk should have beat wyatt at mania

 

[Nocturnowl]

I was actually thinking as Brock had him up, "damn, Taker kicking out of a third F5? Brock's gonna look like such a fucking bitch when this is over"

I'd like to think this was the prevailing thought for many of us, made that 3 count one of the most shocking moments I've witnessed in wrestling.
We're hours removed from WM I'm still feeling them streak shakes.

 

[strobogo]

WHAT THE FUCK?

They let that fucking part timer brat the streak? What the hell are they thinking?

A. Taker hand picked Brock
B. This most likely means Brock is going to stay around for a while
C. The Undertaker we saw tonight beating Brock would have been completely ridiculous
D. Brock is fucking incredible and it is a god damn shame that the only time he's been hampered with other part timers that can't keep up for the majority of his matches

Brock isn't your average part timer. He isn't the Rock. He is a once in a life time athlete. He's a guy that if he had stayed full time could have legitimately been the GOAT. Ever. Not for a guy his size. Ever. His rate of improvement from his main roster debut to even 6 months later was unbelievable. And then six months after that he was twice as good. He's a complete freak of nature. Having Cena and HHH beat him made no fucking sense at all. He should still be undefeated since his return. I think they easily could have turned beating Brock into something as special as breaking the streak had they not had him lose his first match back. And then lose to HHH at WM last year. You watch Brock/Cena and Brock/Punk and you see that Brock is a special performer. A guy that could have taken up Undertaker's mantle (who himself took up Andre's mantel). They could have been building for Brock vs Taker for the past 2 years. It didn't have to be an in your face build. Taker still could have done the thing with HHH and Punk. But an underlying feud of "Brock already took out HHH, Cena, and Punk. Taker had beaten everyone. They are on a collision course" kind of thing. The fact that they had him lose 2 out of his first 3 matches back is really hard to believe. Especially to guys who would gain absolutely nothing from it.

What could have been done is Brock comes back, dominates Cena, dominates HHH, dominates Punk, and dominates Undertaker at Wrestlemania. And then one guy beats him. That guy is fucking made forever. It could be Bryan, it could be some other young guy. But in any other era, that guy would have been picked from the start and known before Brock even has his first match.


I'm only 26 and really missed out on the territory era of wrestling, but I feel like I understand how long term booking works more than what WWE does. And that's really weird because they have some of the best talent and bookers ever on their payroll. A company that has Vince, Pat Patterson, Dutch Mantel, Paul Heyman, Arn Anderson, Ricky Steamboat, HHH, Dusty Rhodes, Undertaker, and Jerry Lawler should understand how to book shit in the long term more than some asshole who watches a lot of wrestling and drinks too much.

 

[foxuzamaki]

Honestly, the fact that they didnt have kane, the one person who probably deserved it the most to end the streak, was a mistake./kanefanboy

 

[JesseEwiak]

I'm only 26 and really missed out on the territory era of wrestling, but I feel like I understand how long term booking works more than what WWE does. And that's really weird because they have some of the best talent and bookers ever on their payroll. A company that has Vince, Pat Patterson, Dutch Mantel, Paul Heyman, Arn Anderson, Ricky Steamboat, HHH, Dusty Rhodes, Undertaker, and Jerry Lawler should understand how to book shit in the long term more than some asshole who watches a lot of wrestling and drinks too much.

Well, first, most of those people aren't in the room for the week to week booking. Second, when they care (ala Roman Reigns), they can still book perfectly. It's just mostly, they don't care and why should they? They're the monopoly. There's a whole, shall we say, CeGeneration of fans who only know the WWE and will think of this era as highly as we all think of our favorite era of wrestling.

Vince won. Now, it's his toy to play with.

 

[abstract alien]

Yeah, tell me about it. I was at a friend's place watching it, and he's a huge Undertaker mark. he was... not pleased. in fact, he was STUNNED. everyone in the room was. i couldn't believe what actually happened.

I was actually thinking as Brock had him up, "damn, Taker kicking out of a third F5? Brock's gonna look like such a fucking bitch when this is over"

I had doubted what I saw, thinking there were going to be some sort of shenanigans. Nope, Taker was dead.

Honestly, the fact that they didnt have kane, the one person who probably deserved it the most to end the streak, was a mistake./kanefanboy

Could you imagine Kane's promo tonight on Raw if that had happened? Would have been the stuff of legend.

 

[UberTag]

A company that has Vince, Pat Patterson, Dutch Mantel, Paul Heyman, Arn Anderson, Ricky Steamboat, HHH, Dusty Rhodes, Undertaker, and Jerry Lawler should understand how to book shit in the long term more than some asshole who watches a lot of wrestling and drinks too much.

I'm sure many of those guys DO understand long-term booking. But they have to cowtow to Vince's insanity and tendency to change his mind a dozen times on nothing more than a whim.
So it's no wonder long-term booking is often sabotaged even if the gameplan was to originally make Brock an undefeated monster and have him eventually break the streak while being treated as a legit threat.

 

[foxuzamaki]

I had doubted what I saw, thinking there were going to be some sort of shenanigans. Nope, Taker was dead.



Could you imagine Kane's promo tonight on Raw if that had happened? Would have been the stuff of legend.

Would have been perfect.

 

[strobogo]

Well, first, most of those people aren't in the room for the week to week booking. Second, when they care (ala Roman Reigns), they can still book perfectly. It's just mostly, they don't care and why should they? They're the monopoly. There's a whole, shall we say, CeGeneration of fans who only know the WWE and will think of this era as highly as we all think of our favorite era of wrestling.

Vince won. Now, it's his toy to play with.

I think it's less that and more people being still stuck in the Monday Night War mindset. You can see it not only in the booking, but also on the Roundtables where Hayes/JR/other people who worked for WWE during that period will constantly shit on WCW like the war is still going on. The mindset never changed even when the war was over. It's some Putin shit going on. It's why the midcards are full on interchangable jobbers and they blow through main event PPV matches on Raw 13 years after WCW died and they have no competition. After 2002, they should have slowly trained the audience to get used to jobber matches and main eventers only wrestling on TV every few weeks if that. They took a few years to train the audience to get used to the slower and safer ring style. They should have and still can do that with the booking style as well.

 

[The Silver]

I can't put into words how hard this is to watch for me, damn Taker.

 

[abstract alien]

http://i.minus.com/ibljbtraDmD6lO.gif

I can't put into words how hard this is to watch for me, damn Taker.

That was the first time I'd ever really seen Taker look "old" to that degree. Right then, I knew I didn't ever want to see him in another match after this.

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

I can't put into words how hard this is to watch for me, damn Taker.

He Looked like he was about to have a heart attack or something.

 

[BHZ Mayor]

Nothing highlights how ridiculous Cenawinslol is more than the fact that Triple H, off all people, lost clean and Taker gave up his streak to someone he once may or may not had legit heat with.

 

[Kaladin]

If I were booking WWE, I'd start off the day with an article on WWE.com about Undertaker announcing his retirement on Raw. I would hype it up all evening. Then, in the main event segment Undertaker comes out and is speechless as the fans chant for him, and eventually get around to "One More Match". In the middle of this chant, or just after his opening comments, I would bring out Sting to challenge Undertaker for just that, one more match for the both of them. Two legends retiring on a dream match for the ages.

 

[Browny]

If I were booking WWE, I'd start off the day with an article on WWE.com about Undertaker announcing his retirement on Raw. I would hype it up all evening. Then, in the main event segment Undertaker comes out and is speechless as the fans chant for him, and eventually get around to "One More Match". In the middle of this chant, or just after his opening comments, I would bring out Sting to challenge Undertaker for just that, one more match for the both of them. Two legends retiring on a dream match for the ages.

With no streak, probably the best way to sell an UT WM match.

If Russo books it, does it end as a double count out?

 

[akaoni]

I always wondered how solid those cube things were. Found out.

 

[UberTag]

I always wondered how solid those cube things were. Found out.

They should retire those relics after tonight.

 

[Serpentine]

With no streak, probably the best way to sell an UT WM match.

If Russo books it, does it end as a double count out?

only if preceded by 5 run-ins. I'll guess Kane, Brock Lesnar, The Wyatt Family, Magnus, and Alexander Rusev

 

[Alucard]

So? He's still the #1 merchandise draw, #1 house show draw, and the #1 full time PPV draw of the past decade. The smark marks in their black tshirts can boo them all they want. While they're booing, kids are scooping up every John Cena armband, t-shirt, and championship belt the building can hold.

How many merch items does he have in comparison to other wrestlers? And based on just looking into the crowd, I'd say there will soon be more Bryan shirts than Cena shirts.

 

[The Silver]

seriously why do they still use those huge monitors?

 

[Mush]

I always wondered how solid those cube things were. Found out.

It looked like Orton fell on to it on his way down, it wasn't still lodged in the table.

I was half expecting an Evolution reunion swerve after seeing them work together like that.

 

[cr_blah_blah]

Orton was in such a weird spot tonight. There was just no way he was retaining regardless and, even though he did plenty in the match, he barely existed besides nearly breaking his back on a monitor.

 

[Nocturnowl]

Honestly, the fact that they didnt have kane, the one person who probably deserved it the most to end the streak, was a mistake./kanefanboy

Fox, you're alright.

At least now we can have Kane/Taker double retirement for next year with supernatural no contest finish, screw Sting, he can go fight Taker at Summerslam or something.

Could you imagine Kane's promo tonight on Raw if that had happened? Would have been the stuff of legend.

Kane's kayfabe promos are the best, I bet he'd get plenty of mileage out of that creepy laugh of his in this circumstance.

I can't put into words how hard this is to watch for me, damn Taker.

Watching one of my favourites crumble before my very eyes, it's so sad yet oddly fitting considering the circumstances.

Nothing highlights how ridiculous Cenawinslol is more than the fact that Triple H, off all people, lost clean and Taker gave up his streak to someone he once may or may not had legit heat with.

These were the real odds Cena overcame, the odds of putting the new generation over when everyone else was doing it.
The future of the WWE has to go through him!

 

[Browny]

It looked like Orton fell on to it on his way down, it wasn't still lodged in the table.

Yup - it's not in / on the table, but rather it's on the floor, out of sight of Orton (as he's concentrating on Bats and Bryan). Orton had no idea it was there. Someone didn't do a great job on that spot...

 

[Acorn]

Not really watched wwf in a while but taker losing to Brock makes me think they'll make him the new Taker (Part timer, become a wm specialist), essentially becoming the next monster dude for big events.

I'm I off base? I know he's jobbed a lot but maybe they are gonna change him into the new phenom.

 

[Maddocks]

I always wondered how solid those cube things were. Found out.

when I watched it live, I couldn't stop laughing my ass off.

 

[Serpentine]

Cesaro should start a WM streak. See, him not having a match at WM29 was actually a great idea!

 

[Hasney]

I think they just need to move away from a WM specialist now, just have some well built matches. The Taker thing was a fluke of booking until they started referencing it not so long ago.

Brock can hype up his beating of Taker next year, but not make it a regular thing.

 

[Acorn]

Another thing as well, doesn't Brocks contact run out soonish? I'd imagine they'd tie him down before putting someone over Taker at wm. Otherwise he'll get the rub and leave them dead to go back into ufc again lol

 

[Xater]

And Bryan won. At least this ends on a well deserved feel good moment.

 

[Namikaze1]

Hours later, I'm still legit shook. Undertaker's been my favorite wrestler since I was a child. He was the reason I kept tuning in every Friday during his Smackdown days. Hell, for a while, I sought to be a wrestler one day and he was the reason I wanted to be one. I knew the streak would end one day. I just imagine Taker would put a younger (full-time) talent over. No disrespect to Brock, but his match with Taker didn't deserved that finish.