WWE Review of the Month: 5 Talking Points to Come from March

In being tasked with adding the final touches to the WrestleMania build, March is perhaps the busiest month in the WWE calendar.

Typically a time of year when attendances are high and anticipation even more so, the numerous big-name returns of 2013 ensured that this year would be no exception to such a trend.

As we reflect on the month that was, there is plenty to dissect and discuss—both in the ring and out of it.

This article rounds up five of the most prominent talking points to come from the month of March, in the third installment of this yearlong series.

The Undertaker Returns

Of all the blockbuster returns that we have witnessed since the turn of the year, The Undertaker’s reappearance on March 4 was arguably the most welcome of the lot.

While the likes of The Rock and Brock Lesnar will draw the money that pleases Vince McMahon, The Undertaker will produce that WrestleMania magic to please the fans. This is The Phenom’s yard, and thus his presence at the Showcase of the Immortals is imperative.

Though there had initially been worries over The Undertaker’s health, such qualms were soon calmed after a match with CM Punk was announced just hours after ‘Taker’s return.

He went on to put on a pretty awesome, albeit controversial, programme with the Second City Saint—and their imminent ‘Mania showdown is now the most eagerly anticipated contest on the card.

In what was a turbulent month for the WWE, the return of The Undertaker will go down as one of the overwhelming highlights.

Paul Bearer's Death

And perhaps the biggest reason for such turbulence was the tragic passing of The Undertaker’s former manager, mentor and friend, William “Paul Bearer” Moody.

Just one day after The Phenom’s triumphant return, the world of professional wrestling came crashing back down to earth to mourn the loss of one of the industry’s most valuable servants.

However the mood soon changed from one of sorrow to surprise, as the WWE began incorporating Bearer’s death into Monday Night Raw’s on-screen storylines.

Though Bearer’s family had indeed approved of such action, CM Punk’s disrespectful behaviour was nonetheless highly offensive to many a viewer, and as a result, his rivalry with The Undertaker has become a hot topic of discussion.

So should Bearer’s death have been used in this WrestleMania storyline?

While it is very difficult to definitively pass judgement on this topic, one thing’s for sure: Paul Bearer’s death was a most unfortunate occurrence, and the loss of such a iconic figure should be appropriately paid tribute to.

The Bellas Return to the WWE

I don’t know about you, but I definitely did not see this one coming.

On the March 11 showing of Monday Night Raw, Nikki and Brie Bella returned to WWE television by aligning themselves with Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow.

It may not make for the most conventional faction, but the quartet have nonetheless set about feuding with the team of Brodus Clay and Tensai and their female companions, the Funkadactyls.

And after some decent action on Raw over the past couple of weeks, I’m actually surprisingly optimistic about their upcoming Mixed Tag Team match at WrestleMania.

But regarding the long-term future, what does the return of the Bellas mean for the WWE?

For me, it is certainly a positive move for the WWE’s female division—given that the company is rarely seen to be investing any significant effort into Divas competition.

They may not have been the best in the ring, but for the company to rehire two former Divas Champions offers hope that the women’s division could yet return to its former standing in the WWE.

The Rock's Part-Time Schedule

We all know that The Rock is one of the busiest entertainers on the planet.

To successfully balance the number of projects that he does is certainly admirable, and for that alone we should respect Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

But to what extent can the Great One claim to have truly balanced his multitude of activities in recent months?

Having only appeared in two of the final four episodes of Monday Night Raw before WrestleMania, it wouldn’t be unfair to say that The Rock has somewhat neglected his WWE responsibilities. Furthermore, the fact that he’s WWE Champion certainly doesn’t help his case.

Luckily, he was in top form on the mic when he did eventually return to WWE television, and as a result, he has partially relieved the pressure that he was beginning to garner.

Still, there are many WWE fans who remain irked at The Rock’s appearances during the final run-in along the Road to WrestleMania; are you one of them?

Overall WrestleMania Build

This point is almost a continuation of the last one.

With the aforementioned returns of the likes of Lesnar and The Rock, WWE programming has been particularly promo-heavy in recent weeks, with little in-ring action, and in some cases, complete absences of the company’s top stars.

Consequently, there has been a large amount of criticism aimed at the WWE for what has been deemed as a fairly lacklustre WrestleMania build.

Granted, the sporadic appearances of certain stars hasn’t helped proceedings, but ultimately, their involvement in the pay-per-view will dramatically add to the spectacle of WrestleMania.

Furthermore, the WWE has given a lot more time to mid-card feuds involving the likes of the Shield, Team Hell No, Wade Barrett, and of course, Fandango in recent weeks—and what started out as a pretty slow build has steadily been gathering some pretty solid momentum.

It may not have been the perfect build, but all-in-all I think we can be satisfied with what we’ve been given.

The key question here, though, is whether or not you are satisfied with the weeks of preparation that the WWE have put into the biggest show of the year, and are you indeed ready for WrestleMania 29?

Conclusion

So with the month of March now firmly behind us, we can start to look back and reflect upon the opening quarter of 2013.

In my eyes, it may not have been the greatest period in the WWE’s history, but it’s been an exciting time to be a fan nonetheless.

And as for the question regarding WrestleMania, I for one am most definitely geared up for the PPV—and I’m looking forward to a card that could well exceed many people’s low expectations.

But please don’t hesitate to share your own opinions with me.

Comment below with your thoughts on the WrestleMania build, as well as any of the other talking points from March that were touched on in the article.