A few weeks back, when Rollins went down with his bum knee, 'Mania 33 was looking a little rough. A little worse for wear, I'm afraid. Not that, in the end, it wouldn't be a huge success or come across like the grand spectacle that it is, but it was missing those few must-see matches that we crave. The ones we're invested in. Goldberg vs. Lesnar? It's big. And it may soon be for the Universal title, but how much have we bought in on a feels level? It's pretty empty. Though I wouldn't object to seeing Goldberg thrash Brock one more time. I think he should just clean sweep this feud.
Also, speaking of the match that's sort of up in the air now -- Rollins vs. Triple H -- how much did we even care? Seth isn't a natural babyface. Neither is Reigns and we all remember how few effs we gave last year about his Hunter match. Again, it's a high profile match but not a great one.
Now things are falling into place a bit better. We still don't have any more of the card filled out, but things are more hopeful. For one, Seth may indeed be back in time for 'Mania so that match is still on and we don't really have to worry about how Hunter's going to face just yet. Secondly, Bray Wyatt not only won the WWE World Championship at Elimination Chamber, but he also retained the title in an insane and wonderful Triple Threat match on SmackDown - besting Cena clean both times.
On top of this, the Randy Orton 'Mania match with Bray may not happen now. Which is a tremendous turn of events. Sure, there's still a chance, in the next few weeks, that Orton could pop up with an RKO and say "I changed my mind!" but if they stay the course with this Bray will have to face someone else for the title. This is awesome. Because I'll assume this much: We all really wanted Bray to win the world title. We're into it. It's amazing. But we weren't that hot on Orton vs. Wyatt as a marquee WrestleMania match. For one thing, if anything, it's looking more and more like that premise of "Randy's just conning Bray" is becoming unlikely. Unless we're willing to accept that Randy is the worst schemer of all time.
Sure, Randy basically split Bray apart from Luke, and now Luke's hopping mad and out to inflict pain on his former leader, but in the time Randy's joined the Wyatts, Bray's won two world championships, including the grandest prize of them all that's been eluding him for years. Even if Randy somehow now beats Bray for that title, Bray's still now been WWE champ. That's not a loss. None of this has been a loss for Bray. Every world champ is destined to become a former world champ. Also, there's the fact that Bray won this title on his own - and just retained it on his own (after getting jumped by Luke even)! Randy didn't help him win it. So Orton can't even make the claim of "Everything you have is because of me."
Basically, what I'm saying is the downfall of Bray, if it ever happens and/or if Randy causes it, pales in comparison to the upswing. So let's write off Randy now as a 'Mania title contender, which is subject to change, of course, and think about who's going to take on Bray. Styles? Cena again? This is SmackDown so there's not a lot to choose from. How about Undertaker? Look, story-wise it seems like Taker's in line to face Reigns. And to lose to Reigns. But wouldn't we rather he face Bray for the belt? And then lose to Bray for, perhaps, his final match? Bray's lost to Taker at 'Mania so it makes even more sense that he should get the final push from the Deadman.
Also, think on this. Will Taker disrupt Roman's match with BRRRAAAAAAUUNNN at Fastlane? If so, then will we also get Lesnar interfering in the Goldberg/Owens match, costing Bill the belt? Or will it be Jericho interfering, costing Owens the title? However this shakes out, there's a chance for too many run ins. Elimination Chamber just had the problem of having too many ambushes in one night so I hope that's not what Fastlane has in store for us.
All of this brings me to the next, unofficial at this point, WrestleMania match - Owens vs. Jericho. Which could be for the Universal title depending on Fastlane. That goddamn Festival of Friendship segment was so well executed. It was like the Rock/Mankind "This Is Your Life" moment mixed with a little of "I'll Take It From Here, Nurse" with a little Red Wedding sprinkled on top. Both guys were so good. The best part was that Owens was filled with regret the moment he walked down that ramp. He wasn't trying to play with Jericho and fake his enthusiasm. He was already sad about what he was going to do in ten minutes' time.
From there we got intertwining sculptures, uncomfortable Sistine Chapel art, some bargain bin magic tricks, Gilberg, and TOTAL CRUSHING BETRAYAL!
Continue on for more from the Festival of Friendship...
Continues
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