Wrestling fans exploded a week ago in protest over a WWE WrestleMania 29 main-event featuring The Rock vs. John Cena 2. While I disagree with them, I thought I’d take a step back this week and look at alternative scenarios to this year’s scheduled headliner.
Angry fans immediately jumped on the social networks, their blogs, podcasts, and new media over the Royal Rumble 2013 results. These fans do not want to see The Rock vs. John Cena take the spotlight again at WrestleMania 29. Most of these fans are CM Punk fans and if they had it their way, their hero would be headlining the event.
[adinserter block=”1″]Now while I can certainly appreciate their passion, I do believe that they are missing the big picture. I have already written a lengthy blog defending the main-event as the best decision for business, so I won’t rehash it here. However, I did think it would be interesting to put myself in their shoes and see what else I could come up with to headline this year’s WrestleMania other than the scheduled match.
Quite frankly I could only come up with five matches that made any realistic sense. Once again, I don’t think any of them would do bigger business than Cena vs. Rock 2. But I took a look at the available alternatives (available as in no Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, etc) and came up with what I thought would be logical and fiscally appealing matches.
The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar – If there was one match that anyone could argue would do comparable business to Cena vs. Rock it would be Brock vs. Rock. This is a match that the mainstream can easily sink their teeth into. The UFC champion vs. the Hollywood action star, two of the most recognizable names in mainstream sports entertainment, and two guys that could offer up a storyline more intriguing than anything else planned for this year’s event. If I had to place a bet now I’d bet that this one headlines next show as long as Rock is back on board.
The Rock or John Cena vs. The Undertaker – I know that there are rumors about The Undertaker not appearing at WrestleMania 29 but I’ll play it safe and assume he will be there. The Streak vs. the Title! There is a part of me that thinks that this match and stipulation could outdraw even Rock vs. Cena 2. The biggest problem here is the finish. Do you really want to give the first WrestleMania win over The Undertaker to a part timer or a guy that doesn’t need it? I suppose you can do a short run with The Undertaker and have him drop it back at Extreme Rules or even a special RAW. Regardless, this one could be a biggie if they were looking for a Plan B.
The Rock vs. Triple H – I can hear the groans now from Triple H haters. This one could work. There have always been rumors of a backstage rivalry between these two, going back to their feud over the intercontinental title. There is a ton of history here and quite frankly I think the match would be very good. Would it draw comparably to Rock vs. Cena? I don’t think it would come close but there aren’t many other alternatives that could be as good as this one.
The Rock vs. CM Punk – Sorry but it’s too late. If this was where they were going to go, they needed to do Cena vs. Rock 2 at the Rumble and save this one for the big dance. I hate to break it to some of you CM Punk fans but there is no way that this match would have drawn anything comparable to Cena vs. Rock 2. From a storyline it certainly could have worked, but the WWE would be doing their stockholders an injustice going in this direction.
[adinserter block=”2″]CM Punk vs. John Cena – I think this one could have worked yet again I don’t think it would have been a sensible business decision. Could they have billed this underneath Rock vs. Brock and did comparable figures? Maybe but I don’t think so. Cena and Punk had opportunities to draw and while they certainly did respectable business, there were no indicators that the match would appeal to a mass audience. Once again I am only simply looking at other alternatives and I think it would only be fair to put this into consideration.
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I think you have to go with the two biggest draws, which at this point are Rock and Cena. I love Punk, he’s the MVP right now, but he’s not as big of a draw. You could argue that Brock is a bigger draw than Cena, but as you say, it’s hard to main event with two part-timers.