The Triumvirate of Truth 3.10.12: HBK as Referee, Chris Masters to TNA, Divas Match at Wrestlemania, More

Hello my fellow wrestling fans. As we inch closer and closer to WrestleMania, the tremors of excitement are felt more and more! Over on the Triumvirate front, we’re just as excited as ever, and as far as I can see, all three of us are ready to get or Mania on. I, in particular, am just sitting on my ass, doing absolutely nothing until the day of Mania. Yes, the life of a 411mania writer is simply that, nothing but chained to a desk and typing away, with the occasional Mountain Dew to keep us tame. (This may very well be just me…)

This week, we focus again on WrestleMania (and really, where else will the focus be?) Talks of HBK’s new special guest referee spot starts us off, but the boys have also taken a stab at a TNA question (sort of) and brought up the importance of a Diva’s match (or lack thereof) at Mania. We also talk about Orton and Kane among other things. Simply put, WrestleMania is front and center! Alright, enough of the formalities; you know who I am, so let’s get to the important stuff!!

1.Does the inclusion of Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee help or hurt the Hell in a Cell match between HHH and the Undertaker?

Michael Uphoff: This is a difficult question to answer. I can definitely see how it would help the match, but I can also see how the inclusion hurts the match.

Including HBK as the special guest referee adds a little bit of intrigue to the match. How will he act? Will he screw over HHH because of what he said on RAW, or will he cheat Undertaker and end the Streak? I want to find out, and this was the best way to include him in WrestleMania, because I did not want to see this become a Triple Threat match. We have seen before that multi-man matches do not work well for the Streak (see WrestleMania XIX). Adding HBK to the WrestleMania card can add some buys and bring in a little more revenue. Seeing Mr. WrestleMania on the grandest stage of them all is almost never a bad thing, but let me explain why it can be this time.

This inclusion hurts the match if Shawn does NOT get involved in the match. If he just calls the match right down the middle, then what the hell was the point of making him the special guest referee in the first place? WWE has booked themselves into a corner here, and if they don’t have HBK go after one of or both men, there is no logical reason for his involvement in the match. It will be a pointless waste, and I hope that is not what happens. My guess is that the Streak remains intact.

Tony Acero: Gonna have to say you’re wrong on this one, Mikey boy! Well, not wrong, exactly, but more of a disagreement here in that I don’t see what he would take away from the match if he called it right down the middle. Also, the fact that there is a bit of intrigue adding him. Look, I was sold on the match before HBK was added and pretty much nothing is going to change that. Every year, the Streak is the catch in which they want to build some sort of attempt at destroying it. This year, it’s more about the history and “ending” The Undertaker. There will be no mystique after the end (at least, there shouldn’t be) and there should be no question as to who wins. I’m perfectly ok with him coming in and calling it right down the middle, and I’ll have the same question after saying that….if he doesn’t, then what the hell was the point in bringing him in? He’s there for an added fold of the story, but I hope that he does nothing but call it down the middle and give that hesitant, yet firm one…two…three for Taker.

Joshua Stangle: Yeah, because a main event level triple threat involving Shawn Michaels, Triple H and a high caliber opponent at WrestleMania is clearly a recipe for disaster (Note: Sarcasm). Mike has this wrong. This feud is based on finality. All the questions will be answered when the dust is settled. There will be a definitive end. Only there won’t be a definitive end if Michaels screws somebody. Not only that, but it could tarnish what could be a great match. Michaels’ presence raises the suspense of the match. He doesn’t have to screw anybody, only the possibility of a screw job is necessary for the build and the match.

I suppose that Michaels being involved is the natural progression of the storyline. All three men have history together. It fits. I wish that the WWE would play up that history some more. It would really make this match seem climatic and possibly, surreal. But he does add further suspense to the match.

2. Should there be a Divas match at WrestleMania 28?

Joshua Stangle: There is only one viable option for a Divas match at WrestleMania 28, and it doesn’t even seem to involve the reigning Divas champion. Ever since Eve’s sudden heel turn several weeks ago, a feud between her and Kelly Kelly has been escalating. Eve’s turn was among the worst in history, as she was completely humiliated in the ring just after she turned. She already received her comeuppance. I‘m completely apathetic towards the potential WrestleMania match between Kelly and Eve. A triple threat between Eve, Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix would greatly improve match quality, but not the build.

I wish there could be a better Divas match at this WrestleMania. Both Beth Phoenix and Natalya can put on a decent match against each other. A Phoenix versus Kharma match would have been great. The Divas division has been neglected worse than the Tag Team division. It seems that every time a Diva starts to show improvement, they get released (or neglected) not long after.

The match will likely allow fans to catch their breaths. It’s just that neither Eve nor Kelly Kelly is known for great ring work. I fear that without a solid performer, such as Beth Phoenix, the match may be lacking.

Tony Acero: What a frustrating turn of events the Divas Division has turned into. I’m with you on this one, Josh, as there is a match that was RIGHT in front of our eyes. It was booking 101 that could have lead us to Beth vs. Natalya, but instead we’ve got Nat going round farting and Beth doi—-wait, what the hell is she doing? Where’s Beth? Unfortunately, the only story we got going on right now is one that you’ve already mentioned with Eve and Kelly. This is seemingly the only thing they could go for, and honestly, if they don’t announce it, that’s most likely what they’re putting on the show. I mean, it’s a four hour card and not too much has been announced, there’s almost a necessity for a Divas Match. I suppose, in the end, that fans and the WWE alike simply don’t care too much about this match and it’s because of this, whether it’s on or not, that the fans simply won’t care.

Michael Uphoff: I don’t see a clear answer from Josh on this question, which I don’t like. I don’t see a yes or no answer to the question. However, he is correct in saying that the only viable alternative is Kelly Kelly vs. Eve, and I don’t really think ANYONE wants to see that match. I would rather see Beth vs. Natalya. He is also correct when he says that the Diva’s division is treated even worse than the tag division. However, at least they consistently get TV time.

If we are forced to watch KK vs. Eve at WrestleMania, it should be called a Who’s the Bigger Slut match. I, like Josh, have no urge whatsoever to watch this match. I think WWE cheated a lot of its fans by not making Beth vs. Natalya or Beth vs. Kharma.

3. Should the feud with CM Punk and Chris Jericho be marginalized to emphasize the Rock/Cena and HHH/Undertaker feuds?

Joshua Stangle: So this week, we watched The Rock and John Cena cover nearly the entire episode of RAW. Both of them went back and forth with numerous promos. The Rock gave some history lessons, and John Cena had a serious monologue in an empty arena. Then, the two closed the show with another promo. Both Triple H and Shawn Michaels opened RAW with a good opening promo. The John Laurinaitis and Teddy Long feud encompassed both RAW and Smackdown, with Long getting the best of Ace in both. CM Punk and Chris Jericho were in a tag match, along with Sheamus and Daniel Bryan. Chris Jericho picked up another pinfall victory over CM Punk. It was as good as any tag match that you’ll find on RAW, but it really wasn’t that memorable.

This is almost reminiscent of the Ziggler versus Punk feud, just two months ago. Ziggler pulled off several sneaky victories, and rode the wave of momentum to the pay per view. Both Punk and Jericho are the best in the Professional Wrestling today. They can cut better promos than anybody on the roster, and should not be relegated to a tag match in the first hour main event. They should be put in singles matches with other Superstars on the roster to show why they claim to be the best in the World. Let people see them have some really good matches on RAW with other stars to show how great their match will be at WrestleMania. The WWE should give these two talented performers some damn time, This should give the people another reason to buy WrestleMania. This would also give people another reason to watch RAW, and maybe, Smackdown.

Here’s how the WWE should sell it: If you want to see a once in a lifetime match, buy WrestleMania for John Cena versus The Rock. If you want to see a brutal and final match between two wrestlers of a dying breed, buy WrestleMania for The Undertaker versus Triple H. And if you want to see the best damn match of 2012, buy WrestleMania for CM Punk versus Chris Jericho.

Tony Acero: I like the selling aspects of each match, and that’d be cool if they did that, but we’re less than a month away already and I don’t see them changing their course of action. To the WWE, Rock and Cena is first, and I suppose they have every right to think that way. While I agree that they should give Punk and Jericho a bit more time, I don’t think it will change much. The answer to your question is no, it shouldn’t be marginalized to emphasize the other two feuds, but at the same time, it’s understandable why The Rock and Cena are getting the spotlight that they are getting. I will say this: I think your idea of their claiming to be the best in the world being tested is one that is so simple it passed even my mind. I do still have some faith that they’ll do the right thing, but the WWE has fucked up once or twice before. Time will tell, I suppose.

Michael Uphoff: I agree with Josh here in the sense that WWE has not given enough time to the Punk/Jericho match at WrestleMania. Of course, they are trying to put a great deal of importance on the two matches that they believe will sell the show (Rock/Cena, HHH/Taker). That’s fine, but you also need to spend enough time to build the championship matches, especially the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania.

I will say that I enjoyed the HHH/HBK promo, and I did enjoy Cena’s “serious” promo. I found the Rock’s history lessons tolerable. I was not happy that Jericho and Punk were forced to be in a tag match. Like Josh, I wanted to see them in singles matches, trying to one-up each other and show that they are the best in the world. WWE is not doing a good enough job building this feud, and I hope that they do a better job in the coming weeks.

4. Do you think Chris Masters should go to TNA?

Michael Uphoff: Again, this is a really difficult question for me to answer. I can see why Masters wants to go to TNA, but if he does, I think he will burn all the bridges he has with WWE. I hate WWE so much for letting Masters go, right when he was showing how far he had progressed, how much he was getting the crowd behind him, and all that stuff, and then WWE just pulled the rug out from underneath him and future-endeavored him. It’s a travesty that creative couldn’t find anything for him, and I think the creative team should’ve been fired, not Masters. I’ve been advocating for the future endeavoring of the entire WWE creative team for nearly two years now. Every time I see another talented superstar get released because “creative had nothing for them,” I think it’s bullshit. It is your job to come up with material. Do it, or you should be fired. I should wrap this up before I start to ramble.

Ultimately, I don’t want Masters to go to TNA, because I think he would get lost in the shuffle. Don’t get me wrong, TNA is doing a fairly good job of building superstars right now. Bully Ray is an excellent heel, and so is Bobby Roode. James Storm has also been built well as a babyface challenger to Roode. However, with all the superstars currently in TNA, I just think Masters would get lost and eventually forgotten, and with his talent, that is not something that he deserves. He should have stayed in WWE and had a program on SmackDown. Hell, you could have feuded him with Rhodes or Swagger or Ziggler. It’s just a crying shame. However, if it makes Chris Masters happy, then he should go to TNA. I just hope the creative team at WWE gets fired one day.

Tony Acero: My biggest fear of those who go from WWE to TNA is the immediacy of the push that follows. If Masters goes to TNA, he gets the monster push and is hotshotted to the title, (or at least, this is what we have been trained to expect). This shoots the wad of Masters before he’s even started and most likely pushes someone aside for a spot to be given to him instead. When Chris Masters first left, I was indifferent and almost happy they trimmed the fat. When he came back to the WWE, I was impressed. Like seriously, he is one of a very small number of wrestlers who took the time to progress and made me do a complete 180 on him and his character. Over on Superstars, he honed his craft and got some much needed motivation and charisma. He was able to put together a competent match and totally won me over. Then, in a surprise that got Masters just as much as he got me, he was let go and I was a sad panda. He had nearly everything they needed to give him a spot, and if they were willing to give Khali a title, they could have given him at least a shot. Anyway, as far as Masters going to TNA, I really don’t know if it’s the best decision, but it may be the only decision for him. The good news is that The Greg DeMarco Show will have Chris Masters on the show this Tuesday!!! That’s right, Chris Masterson himself will be on The Greg DeMarco Show!! Be sure to tune in, live on Tuesday night!

Joshua Stangle: I remember the first time that Masters was released by the WWE, and nobody paid it any attention. He came back to the WWE, improved his game, and they did nothing with him. I know that the WWE is the biggest company in wrestling, but why should he hold out on other opportunities just for the chance to go back there? Masters needs to do what is best for him. Getting employment in TNA may convince the WWE to rehire him, and actually utilize him. I’ve been advocating for a complete change in the WWE Creative mentality (rather than firing the obviously impeded creative team) for much longer than Mike. That must mean that I’m much cooler than he is. I also don’t ramble nearly as much.

Getting lost in the shuffle is a risk no matter where you work. Masters shouldn’t just be inserted into a main event slot. He should prove himself first to management, other wrestlers and the audience. When he does prove his worth, then he deserves a push. But even so, there is no guarantee that he will be noticed. That’s just how wrestling (and life) works. TNA may be the best option for him right now. I hope they notice him, because he deserves a chance to show what he is capable of.

5. Are you okay with the current direction of the Kane vs. Randy Orton Feud?

Tony Acero: At first, I was a bit skeptical considering how horrible the Kane character has been since returning, but after thinking about it for a while, I’m on board with the feud and here’s why. First, we (or maybe just I) were worried about the WWE interjecting Orton into the World Heavyweight title feud that, even if it were to make a good match, just wouldn’t be fair to Bryan and Sheamus. Second, if Orton wasn’t going to be in that match, then I was left wondering what he would be doing. Considering the year that the man has had, I felt he deserved a match on the card that little more than a multi-man thing. Kane hasn’t been all that great, but if I recall the few matches between these two, I’m sure they’re able to pull something passable – if not good – on the big show. The only issues I have for this feud as it stands is the fact that Orton seems to be getting the upper hand every week, and really, that just makes this immensely one-sided. I think Orton winning at Mania is a given, so for him to demolish Kane on Monday and again on Smackdown (according to spoilers), then I’m not sure how I feel about the weeks leading to the match. All in all, I’m “okay” with the feud, I just don’t think it’s the greatest put together match on the card.
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Michael Uphoff: Finding a match for Orton to be in at WrestleMania was not an easy thing to do. It would have been a huge mistake to put him in the World Heavyweight Championship match. It would have split the crowd and taken some of the face support away from the Royal Rumble winner Sheamus. I don’t like the way that the feud has begun with Orton getting the upper hand most of the time, but considering what Kane/Cena was like, I’m definitely not complaining.

The match at WrestleMania will probably be like the Kane/Cena match at the Royal Rumble. Decent and somewhat entertaining, and it will be a nice way for the crowd to catch its breath and prepare them for the main event matches.

Joshua Stangle: Adding Orton to the World Heavyweight Title match at WrestleMania would have been bad. It would mess with the dichotomy of that feud and take the crowd support away from Sheamus. Orton needed something to do at WrestleMania, and this isn’t the worst option. This feud is nowhere as bad as I thought it would be, considering the Kane/Cena feud. Kane versus Orton, at WrestleMania, should be passable. If Orton getting the upper hand saves us from bad motive rants and dumb plot twists, then I’m all for it. I had hoped that Kane would try his usual silly head games, only for Orton to no sell all of them. But this feud, much like their match at WrestleMania will, is passable.

That’s all for this week, fellas. Be sure to check out the column in a couple of hours for the TNA portion of the column with me and DeMarco. Until then, this is Tony letting you know…that the Truth….is out there.