POLL: Enthusiasm for Mania ROUND 2

[goodhelmet]

OK, Round 2 of your WrestleMania enthusiasm. I will admit, I am more excited for the card than I was two weeks ago. Still, not super enthused but I think Rusev-Cena will be great and I am intrigued with the Brock match. Paul Heyman talked me into it. The ladder match could be MITB fun if they give it 15-20 minutes. I don't think the crowd will be a factor at all as they have completely neutered Bryan and he is just another schmuck. Brock may be the overwhelming babyface though so there is that.

 

Matches I will pay attention to...

Intercontinental Ladder Match

Andre Battle Royal

Rollins vs. Orton

Cena vs. Rusev

Lesnar vs. Reigns

 

 

Matches I don't give a shit about...

Undertaker vs. Wyatt

Sting vs. HHH

Tag Title Match

Divas Tag

 

[Childs]

I remain equally unenthusiastic and equally certain to watch. I think what it hurts it for me the most is that I really don't care about Cena-Rusev, even though I expect it will be a solid piece of work.

[Tim Evans]

The only match I'm not that into is the Taker/Wyatt match. Taker not even showing up hurts it and Wyatt's promos are awful. I think they've done a good job with Sting/HHH and Cena/Rusev. Looking forward to the crowd destroying Reigns and Bryan jobbing again.

[Timbo Slice]

If they actually let Sting cut logical promos, I'd be more interested in the match. He's gonna bring his working boots just because, but I don't have high hopes there. The main is going to be the best trainwreck ever.

 

But Cena vs. Rusev could go down as Cena's best WM ever just because. I really hope they put Rusev over, but who knows with this company anymore. And that's not a good thing.

[Jmare007]

Same as last week. Even more interested in what the fuck will they do with the main event and how the crowd will react.

 

Honestly though, the only match I really want to watch is Rusev vs Cena. And even then I think I'm going to be sad when it ends.

[pol]

I'm more excited for Invasion Attack; AJ/Ibushi and Dorada/Omega have generated far more interest than anything on the Mania card, though I am interested in Reigns/Lesnar and Cena/Rusev to some degree. Still going to watch but will likely find some alternate means of doing so (and I have NJPW World and just paid for Rey de Reyes so it's not like I'm one of those 'will never pay for anything' guys).

[Dylan Waco]

I voted low enthusiasm but I'm not sure that's really accurate. I am always somewhat excited for Mania and I am this year as I would be any year. On paper I actually think this card looks better than last years card did on paper. That said I have so little confidence in the booking that I am looking forward to matches for bad reasons. For example my interest in Reigns/Lesnar basically comes down to seeing whether or not Reigns will turn heel, or if the booking of him has been a political hit. Similarly my interest in Orton and Rollins isn't so match the quality of the match, but whether or not Rollins will be put over in a meaningful fashion or lose clean to Orton. In the case of Rusev v. Cena I expect the match to be great but the finish to piss me off. I don't even think a good finish is possible for Wyatt/Taker.

 

So I am interested in this show for perverse reasons. For that reason it feels weird to say I am enthusiastic for it. But I'm not unenthusiastic either.

[goc]

Still don't really care but I'll still watch it. I am not as convinced as everyone else that Rusev is going to job at WrestleMania. It wouldn't surprise me but I don't see it as a sure thing. Not if they are going to go through with the Reigns win. He's gonna need a hot heel, and switching the title to Rusev at SummerSlam if Reigns fails as The Man would be a nice backup plan.

[Steenalized]

Still low, but I'm actually more interested now than last week. You can thank the pre-taped Brock and Rusev videos for that.

[Parties]

I voted “Low enthusiasm” ten days ago. For some matches my interest has been raised, others lowered. But general interest always improves the week of the show. In the last 10 days:

• Lesnar-Reigns: They have a good-to-great match in them, and I've liked Brock's mic work. The end of the final segment last night was bizarre. Looked like they had no clue what to write, almost as if they ran out of time in the overrun at the worst possible moment. There's intrigue in not knowing what they'll do, but no one has faith in the booking. If Reigns turns heel to win, was it all worthwhile? Call it a wash.

• HHH-Sting: Wasn't interested to begin with, less interested now.

• Ladder Match: More interested than I was, but only in who wins. Bryan's the only one capable of elevating the belt right now, and they sure seem to be pointing to him winning Sunday.

• Rusev-Cena: More interested. Either winner is appealing, and the build has been good.

• Orton-Rollins was confirmed, but I'm less interested than I was when Orton returned.

• Undertaker-Wyatt: Wasn't interested to begin with, less interested now. When you look at where Wyatt was 12-14 months ago, the downfall is stark.

• Tag title four-way announced. Less interested than I would be in a straight tag between the champs and any of the three teams. As always with tag title matches, putting it on the pre-show is lame.

• Battle Royal: Marginally more interested. For every Mark Henry or NXT entrant is a Kane or a Konnor. And no Sheamus, unless he replaces someone. Feels like Ryback should win to see if you can build him back into the title picture. Axel or Mizdow could upset as the throwaway comic feel-good stories, but of the slim realistic pickings, Ryback seems the best option.

• AJ/Paige-Bellas: Probably less interested than I was? I expect their time to be cut. If this is their “Use Your Voice” statement match, I'm skeptical. I find AJ insufferable, and the whole division needs fresh matches.

[Loss]

I might hate watch. I'm not excited at all for the show.

[cheapshot]

Going to watch like I do every year with my buddies. Regardless of the matchups we always have a fun time. I am somewhat enthused for the show, especially the finish to Reigns Lesnar as well as the other booking decisions. It will be interesting to see what direction the coming will be headed in to April with to try and maintain network numbers.

[El-P]

Same vote. Heyman's promos and what ever happens with Brock depending on him signing or not got me interested in the main event (but not in Roman Reigns in the least), and Rusev vs Cena is still the only match I care about as a match. Can't wait for crowds reactions in key moments.

The undercard actually looks even worst now, with two useless clusterfucks which already have ben killed (battle royal and multi-tag) and a stunt show (I don't care about stunt shows, I was bored 15 years ago by E&C vs Hardys vs Dudleys).

Taker vs Bray is just a non-hapenning. Orton vs Seth has died multiple time on TV already. Sting vs HHH, well, the build has been lame but it could work with smokes and mirrors I guess (and good booking, so let's not hope for anything).

The women's matches, well, I kinda like Nikki, that's all I can say.

[concrete1992]

Went with Somewhat Enthused despite the dirt worst build. And even then I think I'm overstating my interest. I think I've fallen into the trap once again of thinking that Vinnie Mac has changed plans and won't be going with Reigns. At this point it would be a fantastic surprise if Lesnar gets the belt back but I won't let myself commit to the match being able to easily go either way. I won't let myself get burned again.

 

1. 4-Way tag looks like it'll be fun but it is really just traditional filler.
2. Enjoyed the Andre Battle Royal last year and hope I enjoy it again. Maybe the winner will do something this year.
3. H-Man versus Sting would be a pleasant surprise as long as it isn't complete and utter garbage.
4. All I want from the IC match is a fun MITB. Pulling for R-Truth to do a super dumb bump.
5. Rusev/Cena feels like the only match deserving of WrestleMania which is odd when thinking spectacle. Both of them have put everything into building this match. Cena winning will put a damper on this sadly.
6. THE STREAK IS DEAD AND THESE TAKER MATCHES SHOULD BE TOO
7. #GiveDivasAChance
8. Orton and Rollins could put on a strong 20 minute piss break.
9. Lesnar and Reigns could put on a darn good HOSS main event for Mania...or it could be a complete trainwreck. The end feels POSSIBLY in question but like I said, I AIN'T BUYIN' IT YET!

[WingedEagle]

I like to look at Mania season like the NFL season. I'm a Jet fan and last year sucked. Mania season was underwhelming if we're being polite. But unlike the NFL, the entire product is my team and I'm rooting for a win on Sunday and I am pumped for it -- MANIA! I'm aware the show could suck or be a pretty big meh, but its still the big game and this week always feels a lot bigger than any other. This lineup on a Payback or Night of Champions or some other B show wouldn't do much, but between the stadium, pageantry and expectations its simply a big deal. Looking forward to it.

[The Man in Blak]

I voted low enthusiasm but I'm not sure that's really accurate. I am always somewhat excited for Mania and I am this year as I would be any year. On paper I actually think this card looks better than last years card did on paper. That said I have so little confidence in the booking that I am looking forward to matches for bad reasons. For example my interest in Reigns/Lesnar basically comes down to seeing whether or not Reigns will turn heel, or if the booking of him has been a political hit. Similarly my interest in Orton and Rollins isn't so match the quality of the match, but whether or not Rollins will be put over in a meaningful fashion or lose clean to Orton. In the case of Rusev v. Cena I expect the match to be great but the finish to piss me off. I don't even think a good finish is possible for Wyatt/Taker.

 

So I am interested in this show for perverse reasons. For that reason it feels weird to say I am enthusiastic for it. But I'm not unenthusiastic either.

 

I'm pretty much in the same place, except that I'm not even interested enough to watch the car crash happen in real-time - I think I voted "low enthusiasm" before, but I'm a definite "not watch" now.

 

I feel like all of the interesting questions about Wrestlemania actually have nothing to do with the presented storylines or the in-ring matchups, so I don't feel like I'm missing anything by not watching and by rubbernecking via the ongoing PPV chatter here and elsewhere.

[kayfabe1984]

A tad more excited than I was a week or so ago, but still going into this show with low expectations.

[Parties]

I was intrigued by Dylan saying he thinks this year’s card is better than last year. Initially you wonder, “How could that be, given how bad the booking was this year?” How can this year have a better card with a far lesser build? But he’s correct.

31 has nine matches, 30 only eight. Both the US and IC titles are being defended this year in good, valued matches; neither was defended last year. (Big E, approaching the end of a forgettable six-month run as IC champ, floundered in the Andre battle royal, where he was tossed out halfway through the match. US champ Dean Ambrose, nearing the end of a record-breaking 12-month run with the title, was in the Shield squash of Kane/Outlaws. He would lose the belt in an arbitrary RAW battle royal to Sheamus one month later.)

The case for WM30 as the better card would be: what incorrectly looked like the start of a big Cesaro push, Cesaro and Bryan both working twice on last year’s show, and Bryan winning the title/carrying HHH to the best match of Hunter’s career. But we don’t know how good Sunday’s matches will be, so it only seems fair to compare them as two cards on paper.

You could argue that the teams in last year’s tag title 4-way (Usos, Real Americans, Rybaxel, Matadores) are slightly better than 31’s (Usos, Cesaro/Kidd, New Day, Matadores), but the group is so similar that it feels like comparing Tokyo Dome junior tag openers. The addition of Kidd offsets the loss of Rybaxel. This year’s women’s match is much better. And one of the bigger upsides for me is that Harper and Rowan are working this year, rather than just accompanying Wyatt to the ring.

One minor-but-longwinded note about last year vs. now would be the Andre battle royal, which had 30 guys last year and only 20 this Sunday. It’d be cool to book it like a Rumble and throw a few surprises in to fill it up to 25 or 30, but it’s not vital given that it’s just a payday cameo where most dudes barely do anything. By not having a ladder multi-man to throw seven or eight guys into, you ended up with some stars wasted in last year's battle royal (Del Rio, Sheamus, Mysterio, Ziggler). It’s also interesting to see how many guys from last year's battle royal are either MIA (Sheamus, Otunga, Bo Dallas, Maddox, all of whom could be added in the end) or gone from the company a year later: Del Rio, Rey, Justin Gabriel, Santino, Mahal, McIntyre, Khali, Brodus, Yoshi Tatsu. While it’s pointless to have a big roster of guys-who-never-work show up to collect a Mania check, it seems fair to say that their undercard crew was better last year than it is now (as was the roster at large, given that last year's main eventer Batista is gone). The booking of said undercarders is marginally better now. You don’t have Billy Gunn, Road Dogg, or Naomi eating anyone’s lunch, but it reminds me that guys like Dallas, Fandango, and Henry should be forming/joining stables, just to liven it up a bit.

[Cox]

I was thinking about it today, but have they done a better job building the Andre the Giant battle royal than anything short of Cena/Rusev? The Miz/Mizdow breakup will likely take place in there, which has been a focal point of recent WWE TV. They gave it two segments with celebrities on Raw last night, first with Miz and Mizdow interviewing Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart (two legit stars!) for Get Hard, and then put Bill Simmons on commentary for their match last night. They had a very entertaining online video of Jon Gruden breaking down the battle royal. And Curtis Axel has put himself into a fun cult-like role with the Axelmania stuff, which should get some focus in the battle royal as well. The WrestleMania battle royal is usually a throw away excuse to get everybody on the show, but this year it looks like they've put a modicum of thought into it, and now I'm kind of looking forward to it.

[Seej]

Still "somewhat enthused". Cena vs. Rusev might just steal the show, and I think Brock-Roman is gonna be better than people are predicting, especially if there's some sort of chaotic finish.

[goc]

They had a very entertaining online video of Jon Gruden breaking down the battle royal.

I had no idea this happened, glad you mentioned that. I just watched it, that was a really fun video. I also liked how much of a Titus mark Gruden was.

[Dylan Waco]

Still "somewhat enthused". Cena vs. Rusev might just steal the show, and I think Brock-Roman is gonna be better than people are predicting, especially if there's some sort of chaotic finish.

I expect Brock v. Reigns to be good. The quality of the match isn't the issue

[Hawkeye12]

Looking forward to Cena-Rusev, HHH-Sting, and Undertaker-Wyatt. Three matches I'm genuinely excited for is about two more than that last few years (last year was only Taker-Brock for instance since I sensed the streak ending, but was still shocked when it really happened). Brock-Reigns and Orton-Rollins are interesting based on not knowing who will win, and I'm a battle royal mark so that's a plus. Hate multi-man ladder matches but at least there are multiple guys that could win, and don't care about the Divas match or tag titles very much. So I'm pretty happy with the show overall.

[Steve T]

There isn't a match on this card that I have no interest in but there also isn't a match that has my interest like the Daniel Bryan matches from last year did. I'll be there live so that may be part of the reason why I am interested but to me this looks like an above average WM card.

[JerryvonKramer]

My points of interest are exactly as follows:

 

- What the hell are Sting and HHH going to do?

 

- How will the crowd react to Reigns?

 

- What in god's name is a 7-man ladder match?

 

- How much more like an aging transvestite will The Undertaker look this year?