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Guest Editorial
By Matt Farmer of Shipman, Ill.
PWTorch.com reader

This editorial is written in response to Pat McNeill's recent Take (McNeill's Take: Building the Perfect WrestleMania 21) on his perfect WrestleMania 21 card. The article was an interesting read and included many good match ups for the event. However, I thought a few of the matches seemed forced and/or were awkward booking decisions. The matches featuring the Rock and Steve Austin are two that seemed really forced from a booking standpoint. The two stars are likely to take part in the event, but placing them in tag matches alongside guys like Jericho and Cena just doesn’t seem like the best thing to do and also limits their effectiveness within the event.

I did like the matchup of Undertaker/Kane vs. Snitsky/Heindenrich. The other matches were booked pretty well and made since, but I believe WWE has a few other opportunities to take advantage of that might not be available later on down the road

World Title: Triple H vs. The Rock: These two have never main evented WrestleMania together and this might be the only chance for them to do so. With Triple H aspiring to be in Hollywood this feud is a can't miss opportunity. Have Hunter win the title in the Elimination Chamber resulting in him passing the Rock's nine-time reign. Hunter cuts a promo on a Raw about being the greatest champ ever with the most reigns, and how he is a HUGE Hollywood star but still able to wrestle, unlike some guys. The Royal Rumble is in Fresno, so it's perfect for Rock to return and enter the 30-man rumble or attempt to cost Hunter his match. Then the two can feud until WrestleMania. The build up for the feud could also be prepped with footage from previous encounters from the DX/Nation and DX/Corporation days. It's been awhile since the two have interacted together so it would seem fresh but familiar. Maybe even add in the returning Stone Cold as an enforcer a la, Mike Tyson at WrestleMania 14 and it would be the perfect feud to end between the three and allow WWE to move on to the next generation of stars.

Mick Foley vs. Ric Flair: This is already somewhat of a personal feud between the two but that is what makes it so great. HBK and Bret Hart disliked one another and that is what made their feuds some of, if not, the best in the business. This could easily be built up like the Foley-Steamboat feud in Ring of Honor, with Flair bashing hardcore wrestling and calling Foley a glorified stuntman. Add to the possibility of a pre-Mania Rock & Sock reunion to take on Flair/Triple H makes this an even better possibility.

John Cena vs. Randy Orton: Here are the next generation of stars I was talking about. Since Orton isn't getting his title shot at Mania, he obviously needs someone to feud with; enter John Cena. Both are their respective brands rising young studs and this would be a nice feud that can begin at Royal Rumble. As already hinted at Summerslam, have Orton and Cena as one of the last three or four in the rumble and then one eliminate the other. Thus a feud is born similar to the Brock-Goldberg fiasco last year. Imagine seeing Cena run out and FU Orton on Raw, or Orton jump the crowd and RKO Cena on Smackdown. Great stuff. This would really be reminiscent of the early Rock-Austin stuff. Then have the two switch brands after Mania in the lottery to prolong the actual main event feud between the two. Then when it does finally happen it will be golden.

WWE Title: Kurt Angle vs. HBK: Michaels recently returned on Raw, but that could be temporary. I say have him go to Smackdown shortly after. Have Kurt win the title at the Rumble and continue his hometown hero challenge; this feud could easily be set up in Texas when Michaels surprisingly answers the challenge. Kurt then backs down and a feud is started. Hinted at Survivor Series, this would be one of the last Epic encounters for WWE and with Kurt's health this CANNOT be passed up. As an added bonus, maybe adding Bret Hart as a special guest referee. If he is to be in the Hall of Fame, have him add to this match with his history with HBK and given the respect between he and Kurt, this would be an Amazing match.

Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho: It's been awhile since the two have faced off and Benoit really needs a heel turn, so an instant classic is born. Have Benoit turn heel when he fails to gain a shot at the World Title. He goes on the Highlight Reel and says he is tired of being the nice guy cause it's not getting him anywhere anymore. He and Jericho start to argue and he attacks Jericho. Or it could be a face vs. face for respect feud. But I would rather see a newly heel Benoit. If Batista does turn face, Raw would be needing another main heel.

JBL vs. Big Show: Recently started on Smackdown, I say hold it off until Mania. Simply because I have plans for all of the other Smackdown stars and need for someone to face JBL. If Angle wins the title at the Rumble then these two can move onto a singles feud and Angle can move onto his feud with HBK.

Undertaker/Kane vs. Heindenrich/Snitisky: Already brewing and hinted at with Snitisky/Heindenrich at Survivor Series. Kane is supposed to return as a face so why not reunite the brothers for one night and let them dispose of their hated opponents. Have the brothers prevail Kind of a crappy match for Taker and Kane but it would make since storyline-wise.

Eddie vs. RVD: A feud for no. 1 contendership between the two. Eddie needs to be more focused and less funny and a chance at the no. 1 contendership could do just that for him. RVD is constantly being held down in the tag division so have him turn heel on Rey, if possible. Then have RVD realign his focus as well and say he wants a shot at the title, enter Eddie who does too. They have had great matches before and this would be no different. I would have RVD go over Eddie to help him come back up to the status of possible main event star. Eddie wouldn’t be hurt too bad from a loss to RVD. Maybe have the Dudleys return at the side of RVD and start a faction called the Extreme Revolution that could even lead into the rumored ECW PPV in the early summer.

Christian and Edge (artist Joseph Borzotta, PWTorch)

Edge vs. Christian: Edge's new heel persona is one of the best things on Raw and should continue. His determination to win the World Title should remain and possibly be the fuel for this feud. At the Rumble, have Christian be the one to throw out Edge getting pay back for the beating last month. Then Edge is pissed and feuds with Christian for costing him his shot at the Title at Mania. Keep both as heels with Edge the intense, and pissed, but cocky heel and Christian the cocky funny heel. This match/feud could also help elevate Christian in to uppercard status. I can see Christian mocking Edge with five second poses and other E&C references throughout the feud and a look back at their previous encounters and E&C days would add some heat to the feud as well. I am a big fan of continuity within wrestling feuds so this one along with the Triple H-Rock feud would be perfect for the pre match video montage featuring their history and then the current feud.

Booker T vs. Carlito: Carlito is a rising star and a feud with the newly face Booker T would add some credibility to him. Booker is in the final stages of his career and I doubt he will get a shot at the title anytime soon, so have him focus on putting over guys like Carlito. Maybe Booker should come away with the win to remain credible but still make Carlito look golden so that he can be a threat to the U.S. Title and possibly even the World Title.

U.S. Title: Charlie Haas vs. Rey Misterio: Have Haas turn heel around the Rumble and win the U.S. Title from Cena. With Haas as a heel he could add some depth to his current boring character. A feud with Rey would be great to see. Similar to Rey-Angle matches Haas and Rey would work well together in the ring, and what better way to cement him as a legit heel than attacking and feuding with one of Smackdown's most popular stars in Rey Mysterio.

IC Title: Shelton Benjamin vs. Batista: This is one of the hardest matches to book because both should be face by the time Mania comes around. However, there really is no one else for the two to feud with. Batista will probably be face but I see him as a neutral guy who attacks anyone. He deserves a shot at the IC Title so I say have the two feud despite both being faces. It would be a strange pairing with the contrast in styles but might work well. Batista should go over to continue his push.

Hulk Hogan Appearance to thank the crowd: Hogan is bound to be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame, so have him come out to thank the crowd for all of the great years. Then possibly have another star such as Rock or Austin come out to confront Hogan only to get a handshake and hug out of respect for what he accomplished. Then have that wrestler introduce the other Hall of Fame inductees to the crowd much like last year.   

In addition to the actual card, add the obligatory women's match of Lita vs. Victoria and Raw tag match of Eugene/Regal vs. two wrestlers on Heat. At thta point, the card is pretty stacked. Most of the matches are one on one but I prefer it that way because it makes the feuds and build up more personal and intense. The only real problems with this scenario are that the Royal Rumble winner and the build for Orton-Triple H and Batista's face turn will not be incorporated too much. I can't see Rock or HBK winning the Rumble and going to Mania, so something needs to be done to have them get the title shots and the Rumble winner not getting completely screwed. All of that needs to be resolved prior to the event for this to work. Nonetheless I feel this line-up focuses on the established stars, but also allows for a sort of torch passing to the new young guys.

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