Why WrestleMania XXV Should've Been Like UFC 100

Although WrestleMania XXV was not the worst Mania ever, I think most will agree that it did not live up to the billing for a Silver Anniversary show. And looking back, as soon as the matches were announced, it was clear that it would not be.

The WWE did it all wrong from the beginning. Vince McMahon should've taken a look at Dana White's playbook as he is doing a much better job at building up his mega show, UFC 100.

UFC is doing a tremendous job building up UFC 100, which makes me mad. Why couldn't the WWE do the same? Don't we deserve as much? Everyone's playing Monday morning quarterback, but instead of nit picking I'm going to try my hand at one-upmanship.

I'll take a look at UFC and WWE and attempt to put on a better card, all while pointing out the good, bad and the ugly.

Booking

If you look at the Mania card, it is a disappointment even on paper. This is supposed to be the best PPV the WWE has put on—ever.

UFC, on the other hand, is trying to do exactly that. An injury to Frank Mir allowed his match with Brock Lesnar to be delayed until the company's biggest card. Not only will UFC boast the grudge match, Lesnar vs Mir 2, but it will also feature St. Pierre vs. Alves and Henderson vs. Bisping.

These fights have the potential to have us on the edge from the first "let's get it on" to the final horn. It's what Mania was missing.

But the true key to this being a good card is that Dana White gave fans the match-ups they want to see, and Mania did not.

Here are my Mania changes that could've allowed more Wrestlemania moments:

I'm leaving three matches from the original card as is, Taker vs. HBK; Hardy vs. Hardy; and Orton vs. HHH.

Taker and HBK put on a great show on an otherwise lackluster card, so the reason it stays is obvious.

Hardy vs. Hardy has the potential to be very good. The finish was great, if only the beginning and middle were a bit better.

Orton and HHH had the biggest build up, and although the match didn't deliver, on paper it should have been great despite it's showing. The only difference is I change the rules to a no holds barred match up.

Money In The Bank: This will still kick off the show, but we're kicking out some competitors. The new elite eight will be Kofi Kingston, Shelton Benjamin, Hurricane Helms, Evan Bourne, Christian, THE Brian Kendrick and MVP. With Christian sneaking the win after The Kendrick is hit on Benjamin from the top of the ladder.

Forget predictablity. Don't try and swerve the fans just to do so. Give them what they want and what they want is Christian as the No. 1 contender.

Drop Kid Rock like the bad habit he is, and let him take the divas along with him.

Could you imagine the UFC having the belts up in a bout, yet not show it on the PPV? Me neither. And although belts are used more as props nowadays, let's give them a little credibility and put the tag team match for the belts back on the card.

The IC Title deserves to be in the spotlight, but not with Bradshaw as champ. CM Punk keeps the belt and faces Rey Mysterio as a heel.

It's what everyone wants now, give the fans what they want. Punk goes on to lose to in a classic battle and his heat continues.

As I stated on Hit The Ropes Radio, I have no desire to see the Jericho vs. Geritol match-up. But it's the 25th anniversary, so we do need our share of legends.

Hulk Hogan confronts Jericho and tells him about his lack of respect and how he was there for WM 1. Jericho tells Hogan that he's selfish and that McMahon could've put a broom stick in his spot at WM 1 and gotten the same results.

When Hogan points in Jericho's face, Jericho slaps him, pushes him to the ground and slaps the Walls of Jericho on him. Already needing back surgery, a team of agents come to Hogan's defense.

After they finally pulling Jericho away, Steamboat points at Jericho and tells him it's over. Jericho steps away and then rushes back and hits the Code Breaker on Steamboat before staring over his defenseless body.

He then grabs a mic and goes on his rant on how the legends are trying to steal his spotlight and wants to teach them a lesson that their past their prime. And his example will be Ricky Steamboat.

Steamboat later agrees to the match and announces that Hogan will be in his corner. Jericho smirks and says that's cool. He also has someone to watch his back, the new strongman in the WWE, DH Smith.

The two battle it out in an epic battle that shows Steamboat still has it. But at the end of the night, despite a boot to Jericho by the Immortal one, Jericho comes out on top.

Promotion

WWE does an awesome job of promoting the show...if you live or visit the town that the show's in. Fan Axxess is amazing, but only those there can visit it. The WWE should do more for those who won't be in attendance.

For the UFC, Dana White does a blog leading up to the fights and it's great. We get an inside look to his preparation for fight night. He talks with fighters, promoters, and celebrities in search of insight to the fights.

The WWE kinda of tracks a wrestler or two as it leads up to Mania, with a daily blog and pics, but it doesn't match up.

UFC gives us the weigh-ins that gets us hyped on the match. The WWE sometimes airs the pre-PPV conference, but since the fight's fixed, it's not as exciting.

Why not track two fighters like they did leading up to HBK and Bret Hart's fight. Except don't script it and let it all be candid? The hype would be great.

Show

Since it's the Silver Anniversary it would've been great to see more legends on the card.

Although both the UFC and WWE have celebrities in the crowd, they should've arranged the seating so that all the legends from the past could have been seated at ringside.

Knowing what we know now, most of the matches showed either a lack of effort or lack of planning. Given the chance for a do-over, I'm sure that the wrestlers would put on a display reserved only for Wrestlemania.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't think UFC is the best thing since sliced bread, I simply believe they are doing the right things to promote it's biggest show ever. The WWE seemed rushed and sloppy as they tried to surprise the fans instead of giving them what they want.

Swerves are great, if and only if they lead to something great. They are not great if there done just so we won't say "I knew that would happen," as that's just lazy booking.

This is my Mania vent; many won't agree, and that's cool. Every Monday morning quarterback would've played the game a bit differently.

Don't forget to check out Hit The Ropes Radioas Turnbuckle 2 Turnbuckle makes its long awaited return, TNA prizes are given away and more this Wednesday at 6 p.m. Eastern.