WWE vs. Ring of Honor at WrestleMania XXVI

Ray Bogusz by Senior Analyst Written on July 08, 2009

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There comes a time in a young boy's life when he begins to ask himself "What if?"

For some, that age is 12 and the "what if" is "What if instead of working a trade for Tommy's mint-condition Raichu, I just beat the crap out of him and take it?"

Then again, for some on B/R, that time is somewhere between the ages of 14 and 44 and the question is more like: "What if I was the booker on a wrestling promotion with no boundaries, no money worries, no back stage egos, no expiring contracts, no obligated pushes, no injuries, and no necessary recovery time?"

That, my friends, is called "Fantasy Crap" and it's not healthy. You have to remember that I feel partially responsible for starting that whole trainwreck though, so while I might openly mock y'all for starting a pretend promotion that inexplicably has Chuck Palumbo, A.J. Styles, and Edge all on the same card, a small piece of that is tongue in cheek.

That's not what we're here for, though. You see, there's a cousin to the fantasy realm and it's called the "dream what if" realm. It's not nearly as inherently bad because it's prevalent in all sports, since they all have their own "what if's" and "dream matches"

What if Lou Gherig hadn't had a crippling disease manifest itself at the peak of his career?
What if the 1972 Dolphins played the 2007 Patriots?
What if Muhammad Ali had been able to fight Mike Tyson?
What if Tiger Woods played against Bobby Jones?
What if Ray Bogusz got five minutes alone with Keith Olbermann and a shotgun?

The point is that they're everywhere in sports and wrestling is no exception. The problem is that sometimes, certain irresponsible wrestling "journalists" postulate that some of these will actually happen.

While I can't say I disagree that I'd have peed my pants with excitement at Stone Cold vs Hulk Hogan, it never did and never will happen. Neither would agree to lose to the other and if he wasn't about to lay down to Hulk when he was healthy, I'm pretty positive that Steve Austin sure as hell won't lay down to Hogan now that there's a slightly greater than 100 percent chance he'll turn into Christopher Reeve if he steps into a ring.

However, we've seen WWE buy up independent promotions and have "invasion" storylines before; having another for Ring of Honor isn't all that impossible albeit highly improbable. So, what would happen if Ring of Honor squared off against WWE at WrestleMania XXVI? Onward!

Nigel McGuinness vs The Miz

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It's the battle of two punk rock wannabes who just can't seem to stay (or get) on top.

McGuinness is what Miz looked like he was going to be before John Cena wizzled all over his momentum. Physically, you can mistake these guys for the same person and that's understandable, after all they're both going for the whole "Arm Candy for a Girl on 'The Hills' Theme."

McGuinness is far more accomplished, but that doesn't mean Miz is any less of a competitor either. Both of them are full of themselves, think they're awesome, are God's gift to women, and would make great top heels in any promotion.

Danielson doesn't get the win here just because he's far more accomplished. He also gets it because I'm convinced WWE wouldn't give Miz a win over Randy Savage.

MsChif vs Mickie James

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With all respect to Tara, Cheerleader Melissa, and Maryse, these two women are the hands down best women wrestlers in the business. Mickie and MsChif are both excellent in promos and really connect with the crowd, be it face, heel, sex object, or otherwise.

Who wins here?

The W goes to Mickie. Not only does she deserve a WrestleMania win after the past few years of complete garbage she's been dragged through, but she's a more fun victor than the slightly demonic MsChif.

Besides that, MsChif has a history of willingly losing to talent in the interest of a more compelling product. Combine that with her apparent unwillingness to work with WWE and Mickie is the natural winner.

Besides, she's super-ultra cute.

Hart Dynasty vs American Werewolves

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In an old-school "Nation vs. Nation" battle, the Tag match features two of the Indy scene's best against the best pedigree in wrestling.

I can't pick a winner here, though I lean towards the Hart foundation.

The Werewolves would be bigger faces going against the foreigners and frankly, wouldn't need a win the way two unproven FCW callups would.

Besides, Natalya needs motivation to get a belt of her own.

Tyler Black vs Randy Orton

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If you haven't seen Tyler Black yet, do so immediately. He's wrestled in just about every type of match out there, including a 60 minute match that wasn't even part of a WrestleMania.

Black is a little more bite and a little less bark, which is fine for a feud with Randy Orton who I'm still convinced took acting lessons from Raymond Babbit.

Orton is about as good worker as WWE has to offer and the length and heights their match could go to would be impressive, especially since they both have that never give up attitude.

Why does Tyler Black win? Beating Orton might prompt the Legend Killer to react in a way that turns one of wrestling's best workers to the most beloved face in a long time.

Edge vs Austin Aries

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Despite being a few years younger, Austin Aries--like Edge--is already setting title reign records.

Both of them are capapble of matches that go all over and change pace at a moment's notice.

Why does Edge win? He's the Ultimate Opportunist so he'd probably find a way to sneak a win in there. Plus, I really wanted to use this picture since Lita still has it going on, even if ECW fans weren't lying when they said she has herpes.

Bryan Danielson vs Triple-H

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Stephanie looks fat in this picture.

Danielson and Triple-H are two of the best workers in their promotions and both can make anyone look good...okay, maybe not Jeff Hardy.

Danielson should probably win here, but Trips hasn't had a WM win for a bit.

John Cena vs Rhett Titus

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In a battle of two of the goofiest cats on the block, Rhett Titus and John Cena are perfect for each other. I can see the set up now:

Titus comes out and talks about how sexy he is and how great he is. Cena's entrance theme, or "lil bumper song", hits and he comes out talking about HLR and blindness and marines and all that other bullcrap nobody over the age of 10 gives about.

Titus knocks Cena down and makes him sniff his butt. Cena gets up and screams a lot, then rips off his shirt and says that Titus is a punk, but that he respects Titus for being bold.

I know none of that makes a lick of sense to those of us who are grown ass men and as such, would just run Titus down in our car if he did that to us, but to Cena and his 5th grade fan base there's some logic there...don't ask.

Who wins? To be honest, I only picked the picture of Titus because it's cooler than any of Cena's teenie bopper pictures. I don't care who wins this match, and neither does anybody else who knows a lick about wrestling.

Jerry Lynn vs Shawn Michaels

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For how different their career paths have been, Jerry Lynn and Shawn Michaels have a lot in common.

Both men are old. Both men are still more than capable of putting on a match you'll tell your local conspiracy theory obsessed gas station attendent about. Both men are compelling characters and both men will probably wrestle until they die.

Why does Lynn win? Realistically, Lynn isn't going to be remembered by the mainstream once his career closes. Michaels will go on to be inducted into just about every Hall of Fame imaginable. Lynn should get the win to have a career high and besides, Michaels is used to losing at WrestleMania anyway.

El Generico vs Undertaker

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If anyone else wore eye liner, I'd break his legs out of spite.

Anyway, Generico and Undertaker about as electric as each promotion gets. Undertaker might clearly be getting up in age, but if WM XXV proved anything, it's that he can still bring it for at least one night.

Generico's moves would fit well with Undertaker's more brawling style and I'd love to see some of the more complex twists used to counter Undertaker's slams and chokes.

I can already see Genercio hitting the brainbustaaaaah going for the cover, only to have Undertaker sit up and get the win.

Yes, the Deadman wins again. I really wanted to find a way to justify saying that Generico would win because his costume rules.

That being said...nobody is streak worthy.

Mike Knox vs Grizzly Redwood

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Oh yes! Oh yes! In a battle of excellent beards, Mike Knox faces off against the greatest up and comer in all of wrestling. The one and only future 20 time world champion and Professional Wrestling Hall of Famer: Grizzly Redwood.

I'm not being sarcastic when I say how great Grizzly is. Check him out on YouTube and on ROH. He rules.

Besides, the man eats pancakes slathered in manliness for all three meals per day. Redwood vs Knox is the classic David vs Goliath matchup and both of them are vastly underappreciated.

Redwood is like Mysterio without the stale ass act, and Knox is the future of big men.

In the end, Redwood wins because of his superior act, mic skills, wrestling ability, and all around aura of amazing. That and WWE wouldn't let Knox win a match anyway.

Epilogue

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What have we learned?

First, we've learned that ROH has the talent to put on equal or better calliber shows than WWE right now.

Second, we've learned that this so called "fantasy" genre is a load of bullhonkey and should stop.

Third, we've learned that for a topic like "My Realistic Dream Card" the matches should at least feature two people with the same promotion who can...get this...actually wrestle.

And finally, we've learned that the Grizzly Redwood Revolution continues. Spread the ROH love and while you're at it, help push the Littlest Lumberjack to the top.

W2YMS!

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written on July 08, 2009 Opinion


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