Mania - Backlash before Backlash.

So Wrestlemania was a dud, after a really impressive No Way Out, WWE failed to create any interest in the prouct and the card turned out to be a one match show.

I can't believe the tag team match was left off the show so they could have 10 minutes of Kid Rock singing and strangely enough ruin the best part of the divas match, the introductions. The Gimmick Battle royal at WMX17 had the introductions and even though the match sucked it was great to see everyone back. I have no idea who was fighting who in the diva match, all i could tell was that Santino was dressed up in drag and made the whole thing even more pointless by winning it.
That followed a really good MITB match with CM Punk winning, beating my pick MVP to the briefcase, this match was a bit more gimmicky than normal, which in itself is quite an achievement, but thankfully no nasty injuries occured.

Matt Hardy beat Jeff in an entertaining extreme rules match (that was bettered in an effort on the next weeks Smackdown!) which unfortunately was cut short due to timing (!Kid Rock!).

Rey Mysterio beat JBL in a pointless angle, it wasn't a match as it was over within 21 seconds, JBL should have had a retirement stipulation in this and actually attempted to EARN his mania PPV pay off (especially as Miz, Morrison & The Colons worked their asses off and they DON'T get the PPV bonus!)
I did like the Joker look Rey was rocking, but i'm guessing a lot of Kids were a bit freaked out by it, it was cheesey but as it's mania it's allowed, still not as funny as Conan The Game.

Chris Jericho beat Piper, Snuka & Steamboat, with Ricky putting in an an excellent effort, the cameo by Mickey Rourke was milked for as much as it was worth, quite literally.

The match that should have gone on last was the Taker vs. Michaels epic, the second longest match in WrestleMania history and by god was it good. I urge people to watch it because i can't do it justice with a review!

Then after that high point the show completely nosedived, John Cena won a quite simply average triple threat (i still don't think Big Show should have been in the mix) to take the gold from Edge.

Then to follow that Triple H retained against Orton, in one of the most dissapointing endings to a Wrestlemania for years.

If i had to give it a rating out of ten, i'd have to give it a 4, only because HBK and Undertaker saved this show from being a complete wash out. Such a shame because if they had just been a bit smarter they could have had a much better show!

Anyway i left it a while to review Mania, because if i had done it the day after, it probably would have been a minus figure and unlike a lot of the other shows i had PAID for it and felt ripped off.

The Draft was a chance for WWE to kickstart 2009, but if anything it was a backward step!

Here's the superstars and there new homes, and my opinion on whether it was a good move or not;



MVP to Raw - Woo, this was a great move and finally a chance for MVP to hit the big time, i expect a world title match in the next 12 months.

Big show to Raw - Oh dear, as mainly a raw viewer i see this as a bad move, i'd rather he stay on smackdown so i did'nt have to see his awfulness. He's got fat again and looks de-motivated, seems like ages ago since his match against Mayweather!!

Melina to Smackdown - With this move i was hoping that both womens titles would be on the same show but that would prove not to be the case. i actually will miss Melina because she's improved so much since she's debuted.

Matt Hardy to Raw - A bad move for Matt because he wont get as much screen or mic time and will probably end up in a crappy feud with Big Show.

HHH to Raw - He's back, oh dear! Mr Invincible will stay on top for quite some time, especially as he's now been outed as a McMahon.

CM Punk to Smackdown - this was a massive let down for me, as i won't see him as much over on Smackdown and he's constantly had the best matches on Raw, i expect a feud with Y2J on Smackdown.

Miz to Raw - As soon as The Colons won the tag team unification match i knew the MnM partnership was doomed, but i didnt expect it to be 2 weeks later, the least talented of the duo is entertaining but i don't think he'll do as well as Morrison if he was drafted too.

Kane to Smackdown - He's been on every brand and fought everyone, there really isnt much you can do to keep him fresh, i think another gimmick makeover is needed. Remask him.

Jericho to Smackdown - Another regretful draft, but he will main event Smackdown so it's a promotion for him.

Kozlov to ECW - The demotion has begun, at least we won't have to watch it. He won't be around for the next draft!

Maryse to Raw - by switching champions they think they can trick us into believing the womens division isnt terrible on Raw, it is horrible and Maryse is worse than Melina so this is a bad move!

Rey Mysterio to Smackdown - Back to where the kids love him, more than likely will be given a chance to main event.

Mr. Kennedy to Raw - A good move for him, but only if he gets a run with the US belt, a good feud with MVP is in the offing.

Shad Gaspar to Smackdown - Crymetyme is off to Smackdown!! Good for everyone!

Alicia Fox to Smackdown - Don't even know who this is!

Primo Colon to Raw - The Colons have landed on Raw, hopefully they'll be given decent screen time!

Mike Knox to Smackdown - Evan Bourne will be safe but Mysterio better watch out.

Ezekial Jackson to ECW - Maybe can actually wrestle on this show but has 'good luck in future endeavours' written all over him.

Nikki Bella to Raw - Apparantly she's hot so this is good?

Candice Michele to Smackdown - She should just quit now!

Zach Ryder to ECW - Demotion, never a good thing!

Chavo Guerrero to Raw - Seems to be following Vickie around, maybe will have a run as US champion at some point, but otherwise it's business as usual.

Ricky Ortiz to Smackdown - Chuck V.2 has been given the break, let's see if he can do anything with it.

Layla to Smackdown - Regals deadwood arm candy has been sent to SD. To do what we will have to wait and see.

Hornswoggle to Raw - What's the point of this? Rubbish!

DH Smith to ECW - Rebooting his career in ECW, could be a good move!

John Morrison to Smackdown - Can't wait to see him with the IC title.

Carlito Colon to Raw - Colons will be big on Raw, as long as they have some tag teams to work with!

Natalya to ECW - My favourite to be first female ECW champion!!!

Festus to Raw - Pointless!

JTG to Smackdown - Crymetyme in full effect over on SD! maybe they can nick the ratings!

Dolph Ziggler to Smackdown - Hi, I'm not watching!

The Brian Kendrick to Raw - Oh no!!! Squash matches here you come!

Charlie Haas to Smackdown - I have a feeling we may get a worlds greatest tag team reunion!

Hurricane Helms to ECW - I could see some awesome matches with Christian coming up, once Christian beats Swagger.

Brie Bella to Raw - If you have one of the Bellas you dont really need both!



With Backlash 2 weeks away and a whole host of wrestlers on new shows i dont expect it to be a very good show but i'l give my predictions once the full card is announced!

Watch this space!!

My next post should be a bit of a biggy!!

My complete rundown of Mania and why it met my expectations (it was painfully average), the complete draft picks (including wednesdays supplemental draft) and a look towards Backlash.