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If you have not already figured it out, the war between Undertaker and Brock Lesnar is just part of the side show the WWE has planned for the WrestleMania XXX event in New Orleans. The real match is the war of words between The “Deadman” and Paul Heyman, which was showcased this week on Monday Night Raw. The verbal battle waged between the two icons of the company proved once again sometimes the promos and wars waged before the event are more important than the event itself.

Heyman’s greatest gift to the WWE is his mouth and his promotional work. He is a master and perfectionist – whether it is a program with Triple H, CM Punk or even The Undertaker. It has almost become common place to want to see the work of the manager over the work of the performer in the ring because we know what we get with a Brock Lesnar or CM Punk in the ring. When you can captivate an arena by sitting in a suit, pondering the future of the wrestlers you market, you have stepped into another plane most wrestlers and “ley men” cannot seem to grasp. Bobby Heenan got it. The Grand Wizard got it. Even Gary Hart and Jimmy Hart got it and to some extent, and today, after all this time Heyman understands the importance of the fans and their reaction to his shtick.

The greatest thing about the Undertaker’s shtick is that the aura of the man and the character overwhelms the ability or the lacking ability with age there is in Mark Calloway. Ate the first of the year, the watch begins.

Where is he?

Is he healed from last year?

Is he willing to make a few appearance?

Who will the challenger be?

Can he take his game to another level?

Is the opponent worthy?

Will we remember this WrestleMania because of him or in spite of him?

Whether fans notice it or not, Heyman is that same kind of character. The legend is truly bigger than the guy who started out with this idea of being a promoter and grew into one of the greatest managers of professional wrestling of all time.

Who will he face off against?

Can Brock Lesnar back up the words of his manager with an equally good performance?

Does Heyman get in the ring?

How does the confrontation change the program?

Will there be more to the event than just a one-time encounter?

How far does Heyman have to go to get the reaction from the WWE Universe the company needs?

One of the greatest things Kevin Sullivan did as a manager and wrestler was personal feud about the fans and nothing else. He would rise to the occasion, use the crowd and the mystery behind his cult-like following and make it an adventure of sorts. Because of his sinister style, his cryptic dialect and the fact he was as far off the beaten path as a wrestler could get (Luna Vachon before Luna Vachon. The Brood well before The Brood) Sullivan was the kind of man who could offer Heyman a path of disruption he could use in the future – and he has. At some point, it will be the same road Bray Wyatt will travel.

This match in 25 days is not about Undertaker and Lesnar. It is not really about the Streak. It is about Undertaker and Lesnar. It is about a word of wills and words, not moves and punishment. And in the end, it is about a mindset both performers have perfected over the years. It is about how two men will come together to create WWE gold – through a microphone, not within a ring.

Disclaimer: For the next 30 days, this will be an ongoing series of stories as we move down the Road to WrestleMania. Follow Camel Clutch Blog writer/blogger David M. Levin as he talks about the history, the pageantry and the success and failures of the past when it comes to wrestling’s biggest events. The views of the writer are not necessarily the views of Camel Clutch Blog, and this series is intended to ramp up the excitement that is associated with WrestleMania XXX and the Crescent City of New Orleans. Please enjoy this new feature and any comments are most welcome.

Follow David on Twitter @davidlevin71

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