WWE News: Reviews, Analysis and Rumors for Week of Feb. 19
The action continues to heat up in the WWE as WrestleMania is now a little over a month away. It's fair to say that RAW and SmackDown have been better as of late than they have been in quite some time. Much of that has to do with a strong commitment to building toward what looks to be a great WrestleMania.
New developments took shape in the feuds between CM Punk and Chris Jericho, as well as Undertaker and Triple H. Not everything was positive, however, as a rising star suffered an injury that could very well keep him off of the biggest show of the year.
There have also been some interesting rumors coming to light regarding WrestleMania. Although nothing has been confirmed or denied at this point, it is certainly fun to speculate on how the card will ultimately shake out.
Here are the biggest rumors and news pieces in the WWE for the week of Feb. 19.
Wade Barrett Reportedly out 6-8 Weeks with Elbow Dislocation
1 of 5While Wade Barrett hasn't done much since putting Randy Orton out of commission a couple months ago, there is no question that he is a star in the making. Due to an injury, however, it looks as though Barrett may not get to experience a WrestleMania moment this year.
Barrett suffered the injury on RAW after being eliminated in a battle royal to determine WWE Champion CM Punk's opponent at WrestleMania. While on the outside, Big Show tossed Dolph Ziggler onto Barrett and R-Truth, resulting in Barrett suffering an elbow dislocation.
According to WWE.com, Barrett will miss six to eight weeks from the time of the injury, putting his status for WrestleMania very much in question.
My Take
Even though Barrett wasn't shaping up to be a major player at WrestleMania, this injury is quite unfortunate. In terms of his size, overall look, in-ring ability and mic skills, Barrett is one of the most complete performers in the company already. He could have really used a WrestleMania win as a stepping stone, but it seems like that may not happen.
There has been talk about moving the Money in the Bank ladder match back to 'Mania, and if that is the case, then you would have to think that Barrett would have been one of the favorites. A MITB win could have been just what the doctor ordered in terms of making Barrett a full-fledged main eventer.
If Barrett is a fast healer, then there is an outside chance that he could be back for WrestleMania, but there's no need to rush things. If Barrett isn't 100 percent by April 1, then he should take a seat and recover fully because he wouldn't want to ruin a bright future that figures to include multiple world championships.
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CM Punk and Musician Chris Brown Embroiled in Twitter Feud
2 of 5Early in the week, WWE Champion CM Punk took a shot at musician Chris Brown on Twitter. According to E! Online, the two have exchanged critical tweets in the ensuing days. While Punk has said that he didn't intend for a war of words to start, he did provoke Brown by essentially saying that he'd like to beat him up.
Things have cooled down a bit, but that didn't stop the WWE from mentioning the feud on Tuesday's live SmackDown as Michael Cole acted as if it was the best thing that has ever happened on planet Earth.
My Take
It's impossible to put into words how little I care about this feud. I'm a fan of Punk's, but it's hard to defend him in this case because he basically started it.
At the same time, Brown's background is well documented as he beat his ex-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. In that respect I agree wholeheartedly with Punk, but it probably isn't something that a person of his stature should say.
The thing I really hate, though, is the fact that the WWE is trying to capitalize on it. Obviously, Vince McMahon loves to get mainstream attention, and he's getting because of Brown's involvement, but mentioning it on WWE programming cheapens the product.
Right now Punk is feuding with Chris Jericho in what could be one of the best WrestleMania buildups and matches in a long time. That is something that shouldn't be overshadowed, and that is precisely what this silly Punk/Brown situation is doing.
I don't even want discussion regarding Brown at WrestleMania either because an appearance by him would just be a cheap way for the WWE to draw more attention to itself.
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Undertaker vs. Triple Hell in a Cell Set for WrestleMania
3 of 5Apparently Triple H isn't one for standing by his convictions, because just a couple weeks after refusing to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania, Hunter changed his mind on RAW. There was one caveat, however, as he insisted that the match be of the Hell in a Cell variety.
There was some confusion with regards to whether Taker accepted, but it has been named an official match, so it looks like it's going to happen. If this is The Undertaker's last match, then it has to be special, and Hell in a Cell certainly seems like the right way to go.
My Take
For some strange reason, many fans have an infatuation with not seeing repeat matches at WrestleMania.
I understand that this will mark the third time Triple H and Undertaker have wrestled on the grandest stage of them all, but the first one was so long ago that it's almost irrelevant. The storyline of Triple H and Taker being the last of a dying breed is pure gold as well.
These two delivered an incredible match last year, and there's no reason to believe otherwise this year. The most interesting prospect, of course, may be Shawn Michaels' involvement.
HBK chided Triple H the week before for not accepting, and Taker bated Triple H into the match by saying that Michaels was always better than Hunter.
With all of the HBK mentions and the fact that he's booked for upcoming RAWs, it's obvious that he'll have a role. The overwhelming sentiment has been that he will be the referee, and that obviously has merit.
As a huge HBK fan, I have grand illusions of Michaels making it a triple threat match. It's unlikely since he seems happy in retirement, but you never know in the WWE.
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Shaquille O'Neal a No Go for WrestleMania?
4 of 5For the past couple months there have been rumors regarding NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal possibly wrestling at WrestleMania. Those rumors have been exacerbated by Shaq himself as he continues to say that he will be competing. Despite that, WWE.com released a statement saying that Shaq will not be involved on April 1 in Miami.
It's extremely difficult at this point to tell who is telling the truth. Shaq seems to have a pretty big mouth, so perhaps the company is doing its best to go into damage control and try to keep his involvement a surprise.
At any rate, we'll know a lot more in the coming weeks as Shaq will have to appear on WWE programming soon if he's going to wrestle at WrestleMania.
My Take
I'm normally not a big proponent of celebrity involvement at WrestleMania because Vince McMahon has resorted to D-listers like Snooki as of late, but I'm all for Shaq having a role, whether be as a wrestler or an enforcer of some kind.
The rumor has been that Shaq might face Big Show since the two had an encounter on RAW a couple years ago.
I don't believe that Shaq was supposed to reveal the plans, but he continues to, and that is why the WWE probably felt the need to release a statement. When you think about it, it seems like things are being set up perfectly for Shaq to appear.
Big Show is currently feuding with Cody Rhodes, but Rhodes has brought up some of Big Show's embarrassing moments against celebrities at WrestleMania.
This could lead to a tag team match with Show teaming with Shaq against Rhodes and a partner, or perhaps Shaq playing the role of a heel along with Rhodes.
Whatever the case, Shaq is one of the few celebrities who can pull off a great WrestleMania appearance.
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Money in the Bank to Be Replaced by GM Match at WrestleMania?
5 of 5It is becoming quite obvious that the feud between RAW interim general manager John Laurinaitis and SmackDown general manager Teddy Long will soon come to a head.
According to Daniel Pena of WrestlingInc.com, that could be at WrestleMania as there is talk of a Laurinaitis-led team facing a Long-led team for control of both shows.
Pena is also reporting that such a match could replace the Money in the Bank ladder match. With Money in the Bank being eliminated as a pay-per-view this year, it was rumored that the popular ladder match might return to its roots by taking place at WrestleMania.
My Take
I'm a bit conflicted when it comes to this report. On one hand I don't mind a large tag-team match for control of both brands. It will be a good way to get multiple superstars on the card, and it has a definite purpose as well.
Hopefully, Laurinaitis and Long would each be captains and not actual participants in the match, though, because that would devalue it a bit.
At the same time, I'm a big fan of the Money in the Bank ladder match as well. I was a bit bummed that the PPV was left off this year's the schedule because the show has been fantastic the past two years.
MITB has been the highlight of WrestleMania on a few occasions and it would be yet another great match on a strong card this year.
I want to see the tag-team match, but if it means leaving the ladder match off the card, then I'd rather it not happen.
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