Wrestlemania 27: Potential Alternatives the WWE Could Use for Wrestlemania

Hey, Bleachers!

As many fellow readers have discussed, there are certain (and numerous) issues with the currently projected card for Wrestlemania. Removal of the MITB ladder match, and misuse of several key superstars are just a start, but I'd like to take a moment and share with you some possible avenues WWE could have taken, for a more enticing Road to Wrestlemania.

Drew McIntyre/Dolph Ziggler Feud

I know, this idea may strike a few of you as odd. Isn't Ziggler on Raw, now? Aren't they both heels? The answer to both of these questions is yes, but I think the WWE missed a golden opportunity to establish Ziggler, Drew, and the IWC's golden boy...John Morrison. Here's how.

If you're like me, you may have been intrigued by the way Drew's character seemed to be moving towards a potential face turn, during the time Kelly Kelly was feuding with Vickie Guerrero. "The Chosen One" seemed to value K2's opinion of him, and it looked as though on-screen couple were going to become Smackdown's version of DiBiase and Maryse (albeit, a more successful version). Perhaps no one was more disappointed than I to see how awry this potential went.

Let's face it. Drew is decent on the mic, and talented in the ring. However, he's grown stale on SmackDown. He's not overstayed his welcome, I don't think...but he desperately needs direction. I thought the WWE was doing well to give him some foundation, by pairing him with WWE's most beloved Diva, which would certainly help him make a face turn if played properly. Such a switch would be refreshing for a guy who's not done much of anything since dropping the Intercontinental Championship, months back. While I didn't expect him to play a perfect face, I was hoping for the edgy anti-hero that we see from other characters, such as Edge (no pun intended) and Christian.

But the WWE missed the perfect opportunity for this transition to take place. After Vickie and Dolph were removed from SmackDown, Drew found himself feuding with Edge of all people, over some harbored guilt for Vickie's departure.

To borrow a phrase..."Excuse Me?"

Wasn't Vickie the woman who FIRED his on-screen girlfriend, the one he there-after wrestled a match in her honor for? Why is he all of a sudden sympathetic for the woman who badmouthed K2, and arguably made/kept Dolph Ziggler the Intercontinental Champion for so long?

This is the start of where WWE let me down for this plot-line. Dolph and Vickie would then go on to Raw, where so many of us would have our worst fears realized: John Morrison's huge push would culminate to a mixed tag-match with Dolph Ziggler.

Rather than waste the star-appeal of Morrison on such an absurd, rushed match at WrestleMania...why not alter the story a bit to let the Vickie/Kelly Kelly story climax, showcasing two guys who could use some good rivalry?

Picture this. Vickie's going at it with Trish Stratus, fighting for a job on Raw. While the ref's distracted by Ziggler, Lay-Cool pulls a fast one and takes Stratus down for Vickie. The ref turns around, and Vickie takes advantage for the win. Then, Lay-Cool join Vickie in beating Trish down in the center ring. Enter Kelly Kelly, looking to doll out some due justice to the ladies while Drew follows to handle Dolph. Then, before things blow up any further...the Raw GM intervenes, and establishes the match for Wrestlemania.

Honestly, this idea wouldn't hurt anyone. Dolph can still shine against a capable opponent in Drew McIntyre, and Drew would find himself a chance for Wrestlemania glory. His face turn would be helped by the overwhelming adoration the WWE Universe has for Kelly Kelly and Trish Stratus, allowing Drew to become a rebellious hero that fans can take a little more interest in. This could even extend into a rivalry, should McIntyre find himself drafted to Raw after the event, or involved with what I assume to be a continued struggle against The Corre.

But perhaps the biggest advantage of such a storyline is found in my next idea.

John Morrison Has His Wrestlemania Moment

Of course, this has to happen in WrestleMania, which is why I'm not even calling the match with Ziggler a surprise ending. Morrison is the hottest commodity currently on Raw, and deservedly so. He's wowed us at the Rumble, he's astonished us at the Elimination Chamber. Wrestlemania should be no different. However, the current card severely hinders his ability to make a profound impact at the event.

Morrison deserves more than to be facing Dolph Ziggler in a mixed match, at the Grandest Stage of Them All. But he doesn't need a match to make his mark. Picture this:

Cena and Miz are going at it, in the main event. After several minutes of back-and-forth action, Cena starts to get the upper hand, but Miz knocked out the ref in the process. Tossing him against the ropes, Cena starts to pound away at the WWE Champion, signaling for the Attitude Adjustment.

...but then, The Rock shows up.

The crowd jumps to their feet as Rock swoops in the ring, and levels Cena with a Rock Bottom, before swiftly exiting the ring. Both men are down, until Miz starts to stir in the corner. It appears that The Miz is going to take advantage of Rocky's interference, and walk away as still the champion.

...but then, John Morrison shows up.

Once again, the crowd goes livid as Morrison levels an off-guard Miz with a kick from off the top rope, showing off his athletic ability by going from the canvas to the apron, right over the top at the defending champion. With the audience roaring, Morrison lands a Starship Pain on the weakened Miz, following suit of The Rock as he vanishes before the ref stirs again.

At this point, I'd like to leave a moment of drama. Both men are out cold, while the referee remains unresponsive. What happens next?

The glass breaks.

Out comes Stone Cold, the back-up referee to the match. Being that he'd already have refereed one match, why not another? The WWE surely wouldn't waste Stone Cold on a match with Michael Cole, and this would be the perfect opportunity. Stone Cold goes through the count, until at last...both men are counted out. A shocking finisher that, while maybe not the most realistic, would provide for a huge set-up going into the next night's Raw.

Talk about a Wrestlemania moment.

See, this idea doesn't end with Wrestlemania. Should the WWE shock the Universe by taking this road, we'd establish a huge event at the following Raw. We'd see the potential for a main event like no other, putting Cena/Morrison/Miz in a triple-threat match for the WWE title, where The Rock could act as the special referee. He's scheduled to appear, anyway. Why not? If some rumors are true and The Rock is planning to wrestle after WrestleMania (which I still find unlikely) he could even be the fourth participant, making it an unforgettable Fatal Four-Way title match.

This would give Morrison his much-needed push to the main event scene, tossing him into the mix with Cena, Orton, and The Miz. It'd also make the overall card much more enticing, seeing as many of the matches were either poorly prepared (such as the current Morrison/Ziggler feud) or lacking real interest (Lawler/Cole, Diva's Match, lack of MITB, Taker/HHH).

I feel like this approach would've been a bit more appealing, but perhaps I'm wrong. Feel free to share your thoughts on the matter, folks. I'll comment as I can.

This concludes my first-ever article as a member of Bleacher Report. Was it as good for you as it was for me?

...yeah, I didn't think so.