I have been watching pro wrestling since I was about 7 years old. That's a very long time ago. When I started there was a show on the independent channels in New York City virtually every day of the week. Boston, DC, Philly and Sunnyside Garden in Queens where my dad would take my cousin and me to the matches on Tuesday night.
It was at Sunnyside Gardens where I lost my virginity regarding kayfabe when my dad took us to the parking lot where the wrestlers had their cars and asked Pampero Firpo, who had just wrestled Antonina Rocca, for his autograph. He smiled at us and signed with the most beautiful penmanship I had ever seen. You see he was called "Wildman" Firpo but he was a gentleman with us and the light went on.
I have lived through over 65 years of the sport. Spent many Monday nights at Madison Square Garden during the Bruno Sammartino Era. Was at the Garden the night Bruno dropped the belt to Ivan Koloff. I was at Shea Stadium for the Chuck Wepner/Andre the Giant Match. Attended four Wrestlemanias and will always marvel at the Mega Powers Explode and Austin/McMahon sagas. I almost went to work for the WWWF. Over two years ago I joined the Board of Managers of Major League Wrestling so my life has alway had pro wrestling in it.
Everything, I mean everything, can be explained by pro wrestling.
I'm telling you all this because I have never experienced anything like the Bloodline saga that will either come to a head or go off in a new direction with this weekend's Wrestlemania extravaganza.
No need to go through the story. If you're reading this you're probably a fan, but everyone involved has been at the top of their game. Roman Reigns was always meant to be a heel. His cousins have been integral to the success of this tale and Heyman, well Heyman.
This is a family saga, the culmination of decades of this legendary Samoan wrestling dynasty but what has elevated this tale is it's also a love story....a love story between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. The way the WWE has merged the Bloodline story with reuniting the two Canadian friends has been flawless.
But wait there's more.....Cody Rhodes. This is the culmination of Cody's journey. Leaving the WWE, doing the indies and winding up in New Japan to then return to the states along with the Jackson brothers and Kenny Omega to build a viable alternative to WWE (this could only happen with the help of another billionaire) only to return to WWE to claim the title that his legendary father could never obtain. So much of today's WWE talent was under the tutelage of the great Dusty Rhodes as Roman made clear to Cody one Friday night in one of the several memorable promos throughout this story.
This weekend's Wrestlemania feels like an ending but I believe there is more to come as the Bloodline universe expands. Sadly most everything else feels like an afterthought. In different times the Judgement Day/Edge/Rey Mysterio story would be huge but pales next to the Bloodline. Austin Theory is on the brink of becoming a mega star but, again, not getting the heat. So, for me, after the Bloodline matches, everything else feels sort of bland.
So let's go through the card with predictions and whatever ranking inversely from meh to epic. Here we go:
MEN AND WOMEN FOUR WAY TAG TEAM
This is just an excuse to give someone a paycheck and keep the undercard people happy. Also we need bathroom breaks. I assume Street Prophets for the men with Braun and Ricochet a possibility. For the women Rhonda and Shayna with Raquel and Liv the wild card team. They're trying to build up the tag team division. Good luck.
TRISH/LITA/BECKY V. DAMAGE CONTROL
With so much good young talent I don't understand the need to go back to the two Hall of Famers and Becky deserves better. I love Bayley and Io Skye is not chopped liver and deserves a title shot. I assume this is it for Damage Control and Shayna and Rhonda take the belts from the faces down the road a bit.
BROCK V. OMOS
This is all leading to a callback to the classic Hulk Hogan body slam of Andre moment. That's all you need to know. Brock in a quickie.
CENA V. THEORY
I have to believe that Cena puts Theory over here. Nothing good comes from Cena taking away the belt. Comes down to what Cena has left in the tank.
CHARLOTTE V. RHEA
It's Rhea's time. The question is there a double turn here where Rhea comes out with the belt and as a face. How will this all affect Judgement Day.
BIANCA V. ASUKA
This should be a pretty solid match. I think the better of the two women's championship matches. Bianca should prevail but it could steal the show.
DOM V. REY
It's going to be an ass whooping. Dom will get in a couple of blows but in the end daddy prevails. This could be a wild one with lots of interference including the Mysterio women.
SETH V. PAUL
Logan Paul has been impressive and this is one I am looking forward to. I don't think there will be a clear winner. Expect a count out, a dq or outside interference. Seth can take the loss but not to a part timer.
EDGE V. DEMON FINN IN HELL IN A CELL
This should be awesome. Brutal and violent. I. don't think Demon Finn has ever lost and I don't expect it to happen here. It feels like Finn is getting the push and this is the prelude to a title run. What belt? no idea.
GUNTHER V. DREW V. SHEAMUS
I could have been happy with another Gunther/Sheamus outing or Gunther/Drew. Making this a three way diminishes it a bit in my opinion and I assume we see another schism in the Drew/Sheamus dynamic because Gunther ain't losing this. He's got bigger things in his future. It will be a banger.
Wrestlemania is all about these last two matches.
CODY V. THE TRIBAL CHIEF
I am not feeling this. Some great promo work between the two of them but I just feel it's too soon. The Cody injury didn't help but I just don't feel Cody is Roman level. I would love to be proven wrong. I know it's a bit contrarian, and to many this feels like a foregone conclusion, but I think Roman retains and the two fight another day.
USOS V. KO AND SAMI
This is the match that I am most looking forward to and I would be shocked if it doesn't exceed my high expectations. We are clearly seeing the demise of the Bloodline but I think it will happen in increments. This match will be wild and I think the Canadian heros take the belts off of one of the all time great tag teams. We now start to witness Roman's disappointment and the eventual turn of the Usos on the Tribal Chief and their brother Solo. There's a lot more to tell in this story.
It should be a solid wrestlemania if the two main events deliver.
I think Finn/Edge could be epic and at least one of the women's matches will probably excel. Looking forward to it.
