WrestleMania 28: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho to Open the Show; Smart Booking

It seems the battle for who's the best in the world could be the pacesetter for WrestleMania 28.

As I posted on Wrestlezone.com:

"

WrestleMania 28 could see only seven matches on the final card according to PWInsider.com.

There has been talk of starting the show with CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho, putting the Hell in a Cell in the middle of the show and ending with The Rock vs, John Cena.

"

The mention of CM Punk versus Chris Jericho being first was not a popular one with the majority of message board and Twitter posts I've read.

Why?

People say going first devalues the match or is a disrespect to Punk and Jericho. Think as a booker and get serious. This match could be the best bell-to-bell match of the four-hour event. The goal for the two competitors is the same as it is for everyone else—to go out steal the show and create a WrestleMania moment.

If CM Punk versus Chris Jericho is what EVERYONE has to try to follow, great situation for the WWE championship match to stand out.

The audience will be fresh and fired up. The stamina of the audience is something most wrestling fans don't know to think about but can be a big element to take in consideration on massive cards like WrestleMania.

You don't want the crowd to be exhausted. People often ask why Divas matches get put toward the end of the card? They do this so the crowd can come down from whatever intense matches they saw prior and regain energy before the final main-event match.

CM Punk and Jericho being first, Hell in a Cell in the middle and The Rock versus Cena last would be the ideal structure to be sure each match has the audiences attention.

Having the three key matches separated on the card as well as only seven matches total is a winning combination. Quality over quantity. This could provide a start to finish a roller-coaster ride of entertainment that could hold the potential to compete with what I feel was the greatest WrestleMania ever—No. 17. I was there in Houston, and from top to bottom, it was an unbelievable show.

So with only seven matches, a lot of wrestlers will be left off the card. Many will only get their entrance in front of the live crowd for a dark match battle royal. Since when is being on a WrestleMania pay-per-view a given just because you're on the roster?

It is a privilege, and you earn a spot on the show. Some guys have worked hard all year and probably do deserve a spot, but hey, it's pro-wrestling, not little league, not everybody gets a trophy.

Follow @JustinLaBar on Twitter