Stone Cold Return
WWE is polling fans on WWE.com about a Stone Cold Steve Austin return.
The poll is asking fans if he did return for one more match, who his opponent should be? The options are: Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, John Cena The Rock, Triple H, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, Batista, or another Superstar.
Brock Lesnar, The Rock and John Cena are currently leading the poll.
WrestleMania Title Match
My Monday column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review answers some questions from fans regarding the next top guy and WrestleMania main events. The final question I answer I reveal what I think would be the perfect title match for WrestleMania 31 if the situation remains the same. The following is an excerpt:
@XenoMishima: Has the WWE really thought about life after John Cena ? Do they really know who they want to be the next “guy,” and if so, who ?
This is a common question from fans, and it’s based on a misunderstanding. From my experience of working with regional wrestling companies and experiencing all the factors that play into booking or positioning a talent on the card, it’s hard to forecast the future in terms of who is going to become a star.
Finding another John Cena isn’t easy. Despite critiques of Cena’s abilities, he has been the face, workhorse and moneymaker for WWE during the past decade. You can’t just pick someone as if you’re putting a quarter into the claw machine at the arcade.
WWE is always looking for its next star. The next top guy represents job security for the whole company. However, as eager as it is to find the next guy, WWE is just as nervous. If a talented wrestler who has a lot of potential isn’t ready to succeed on the top level or a creative story doesn’t allow him to succeed at the top level, it can damage him. It can hurt his confidence, his character and the audience’s perception of him.
It’s similar to a major league baseball team calling up a player from the minor leagues too soon. If he strikes out or makes a few bad plays, his confidence can be harmed.
I think WWE has wrestler it thinks will be around for a while, such as Roman Reigns or Dean Ambrose. Its perfect pick would be Reigns because he is Hollywood handsome and is an imposing figure. Whether he can handle that spot will be determined over time, plus he’s injured. That’s a factor no one can control.
Ambrose is another possible option. He might be a little rough around the edges with his unconventional ways, but if he can carry the WWE flag, then you let him carry it as far as he can go.
Injury, crowd interest, camaraderie with fellow wrestlers, contract clauses and management’s decision-making come into play. It’s not as black and white as many fans assume it is.
@DanCasaz: Do you think the WM31 main event is known yet, or they’re still figuring it out and considering options ?
November tends to be the traditional time when WWE begins to address realistic options for WrestleMania.
It can be a game of dominoes. For example, Brock Lesnar is the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and could defend his crown at WrestleMania. However, if WWE can come to terms with The Rock to have a match at WrestleMania, it would probably be a match against Lesnar.
They wanted to do this match last year, but didn’t get to. Vince McMahon craves attention from mainstream media.
The match wouldn’t be for the title. WWE could assume Lesnar will be its champion right now, but if a month goes by and it gets The Rock, the company has to get the belt from Lesnar.
Nothing in wrestling is official until it happens on television.
@MikeBeanX: What will be the WrestleMania 31 main event?
CLICK HERE for the main event and why it would be the best option.
