Bleacher Report - Articles by PJ Barberino

WrestleMania: What The WWE May Be Thinking

PJ Barberino — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:39:26 -0500

No Way Out has given us a few things. Two new champions and more momentum for Randy Orton going into the biggest PPV of the year. So how will this work out?

Triple H winning the WWE title forshadows Randy Orton v Triple H. I believe Triple H will call out Orton. This threat will make Orton choose Triple H for the main event at Mania.

Edge winning the other title and Cena showing that he was obviously upset with Edge making sure he got in the match.; You will see them square off for the 100 millionth time at Mania.

Now that the event is in Texas, the hometown of JBL, Undertaker, Stone Cold, and HBK.

There are rumors of Austin being involved in the event. I see three scenarios.

1. Jericho v Stone Cold (My least Likely Scenario)

2. Stone Cold v Undertaker (a somewhat likely scenario)

3. Stone Cold v HBK (a rematch and somewhat likely)

I think No. 2 would draw the most

Undertaker v HBK special Ref Austin

If HBK isnt in the match I could see JBL v HBK in a Texas bull-rope match.

If it is HBK vs Austin...then JBL vs Undertaker.

Also Money in the bank: Look for Mr. Kennedy and Evan Bourne to be back

ECW championship

Jack Swagger v Christian; obviously Christian will destroy him.

IC Belt: Let's just pray that WWE isn't dumb and actually has a match for it

Kofi v Punk v Knox? Sound good?

What are your thoughts on this? How do you see Mania shaping up? Do you like any of my ideas?

Is Edge The Best Choice for The Wrestlemania Main Event

PJ Barberino — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:05:33 -0500

After No Way Out, the WWE heads into its biggest ppv of the year—Wrestlemania! So who should be the WWE Champion going into the biggest event in the history of professional wrestling?

Vladimir Kozlov

He is too new...I dont think he could carry the main event spot, maybe for ECW but not the main title the WWE Championship. I definitely do not think he could main event Wrestlemania yet—he is still too green.

Undertaker

At this point, I don't see Undertaker as a champion—plus, I feel he'll be fighting HBK. Fans will want to see that match because of his streak being on the line. I wouldn't be suprised if on the 25 year anniversary, it comes to an end. Because of who I feel he'll be fighting and because of the dominate streak, I just don't see a need to put the belt around the Dead Man.

Big Show

This seems like a fresh idea, but will get old fast. It's actually more fun to watch him squash people. I think he needs another build up of just dominating everyone again. My idea is a pep talk from someone—maybe a manager—that jumpstarts his career again.

Triple H

A lot of people do not like "Trips"—I am a huge fan—but most of his title reigns you can sense before hand. I do not see it happening. However, Triple H would probably love nothing more than to be WWE champ heading into the 25th year anniversary. I do not think it will be good for backstage politics.

Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy is a very good choice for the championship due to his huge fan base and build up with his brother. However, the build up with his brother is also the downfall of the reason to pick him. Like Undertaker—because he has the build up with his brother he doesn't need the strap for fans to be interested. Plus, I could see him winning Money in the Bank.

Edge

In my opinion the best option is Edge. Everyone's favorite thing is at 'Mania the fan favorite to beat the heel and celebrate for hours. I think he also puts on some of the most entertaining matches ever. Edge is my pick to take the strap to Wrestlemania XXV. Now who will he fight—let's see my choices for 'Mania are:

1. Randy Orton

2. Triple H

3. Undertaker

4. Christian

5. Taker Bigshow Triple H Edge (Fatal Four Way)

What are you thinking? Who is your pick? How do you like my opinions and thoughts? Let me know.

Thanks; Take care, and have a good Valentine's Day.

ECW Title Defense Worst Match In Summerslam History?

PJ Barberino — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:09:44 -0400

SummerSlam was a good WWE PPV with nice clean pinfalls, but one thing clearly kept it from being a show that I would want to re-watch in its entirety.

Mark Henry's first PPV title defense as champion. He hypes his title defense in numerous interviews leading up to SummerSlam. The hopeless Matt Hardy fans attend the show wishing this is Matt's time to shine. ECW centers the every Tuesday night around this title match and hyping it up. So what do you think happens? They wrestle for 30 seconds! I am serious—30 seconds!

The endtrances for the two superstars took five times longer than the actual match. Maybe I should be ECW champion—I know I can wrestle for 30 seconds!

So my question is, Why even have the match on the card? What made WWE even want to hype the match? Why even switch broadcasters for this one ECW match? (that absolutely sucked).

I guess I am just disappointed that WWE would taint SummerSlam with such a horrible match on the 20th anniversary show. I know I am disappointed that I watched ECW and actually made a statement to my friend that, "This ECW match will be better than the Khali and Trips match."

Yeah, ECW made every fan feel like an idiot and a fool!

ECW has good wrestling every Tuesday night, but now you can take the ECW title and throw it in the GARBAGE. All Summerslam proved is that ECW is now garbage and that WWE could careless to keep ECW fans interested.

PS—Tony Atlas sucks.

Why John Cena Vs. Batista Is Not Worth the Hype

PJ Barberino — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:26:16 -0400

I have been following the WWE for as long as I can remember. I have been through all the ups and downs in the last 20 years. I have sat back without an opinion to be heard and directed at anyone, until now.

Now, it is time for me to let loose on the things that make me feel the electricity that WWE has produced in the past and to let you all of my readers know WHEN I am thoroughly disappointed in the product.

Right now is a tough time for the WWE as they are still creating new stars and fans are still holding on to the nostalgia factor.

Let me put it to you this way: Cena vs Batista at Summerslam. It is their first match against each other, but wouldn't you rather see Batista vs Sid? Yeah, you would, because they've never wrestled either and in our minds Sid is still indestructible.

The WWE wouldn't even need to hype the match but to say Sid is back and he and Batista will meet at Indy on Sunday Aug 17th. BAM! They just got my attention.

However, I am looking forward to the whole ppv because it is the 20th anniversary and I will be attending the event since it is only two hours away. I could have made up some elaborate story, but really only because it's two hours away! Well, I will write a Summerslam preview tonight after I watch ECW.

Thanks, and give Kane his mask back.