Not quite a game. Not really a contest. More like a competitive thought experiment. The object is to create the best WrestleMania card possible – NOT necessarily to predict what WWE will do.
This is not fantasy booking. It’s more like reality booking. Any match created must have at least a chance of happening in this year’s WrestleMania. That means all wrestlers come in their current physical, emotional and contractual state. Anyone selected for a match must have a reasonable chance of being hired by WWE to appear on the real-life WrestleMania card.
Simply put, you’re Vince McMahon with infinite cash and no self-control.(more…)
Wrestling Mayhem Show 593: Fergal S. Pumpkin
Marshall “The Bull” Gambino made his triumphant return to the show. He has a special treat for us with the recently reinstated High Stakes Championship belt. Otherwise, we’ve got Chad “the Enzo” with him on the sofa, Matt Carlins, Mutilator Larry, and Sorg. They’re bringing you this week’s wrestling news and insights, including:
The champion of champions is back – and Chad the Shad is starting the top of the show – as Chad the Enzo.
Sorg has unearthed Larry’s hatred for Kalisto.
Enzo brings Chad the most joy each week. The rest of us are Power Point enthusiasts thanks to Drew Gulak.
We’re talking some TLC changes – and there’s a difference of opinions.
So, Braun Strowman got murdered at TLC – and the fans are the ones that called it out?
Survivor Series is coming up, and Mad Mike has some speculations as to who we could see.
AJ Styles and Finn Balor made the TLC changes amazing!
Thank you William Regal for telling us about storytelling in the ring.
Marshall is talking about how nice it is to remember where you came from especially on a big stage like WWE.
Marshall is in studio – and he brought something shiny. It’s a first look at the High Stakes belt.
This week’s Big Question: With Smackdown Live on Halloween, what would you book as a special event match for the night?
Sorg and Mad Mike talk about tonight’s Monday Night Raw! We talk about Dean Ambrose trying to make amends with Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman and Kalisto had a Dumpster match, Finn Balor teamed with Big Cass and Seth Rollins to take on Samoa Joe and The Club, and Alexa Bliss had some strong words for Bayley.
Join us LIVE Monday shortly after WWE RAW! Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the link
WWE Raw Wrap Up 4/17/17: Monday Night Braun!
Sorg and Mad Mike talk about tonight’s episode of Raw! We talk about Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, Nia Jax, and Sasha Banks fighting for the number one contendership, Braun Strowman’s quest to keep Kalisto as a pet broken up by Big Show, Jeff Hardy’s first singles match on Raw in eight years, and Dean Ambrose breaking up Miz TV.
Join us LIVE Monday shortly after WWE RAW! Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the link
Rizz Plays WWE 2k17 – ROYAL RUMBLE PREDICTOR!
This is the penultimate predictor for the 2017 Royal Rumble! Featuring everyone from Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, Braun Strowman and 27 other superstars just DYING to get their shot at main-eventing WrestleMania. YOU WILL WANT TO CHOOSE THIS MAN AS THE WINNER OF THE ACTUAL ROYAL RUMBLE TO WIN MONEY!
Also, follow Rizz Plays Games for ALL of your streaming needs.
What’s At Stake: WrestleMania 32
As we head into yet another special event on the WWE Network, I’ll try to answer one simple question: What are these guys and girls fighting over? As always, we welcome your feedback. Leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].
Triple H vs. Roman Reigns What’s At Stake – WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Roman Reigns’ position as the next face of WWE.
I know I’ve asked this before, but it’s worth repeating. Are we doing this, or not? Is Roman Reigns really the man to lead WWE into the future, or is he an unworthy pretender to the throne? A year ago, Reigns was the face of the company in waiting. His crowning moment at WrestleMania 31 seemed to be a foregone conclusion, but then Brock Lesnar signed a new contract with WWE and Seth Rollins swooped in with the mother of all Money In The Bank cash-ins and Reigns’ big night was suddenly on hold.
Fast-forward to this weekend, and Roman Reigns is a two-time WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He’s back in the WrestleMania main event with a chance to win the title for a third time against a slightly less formidable opponent than Brock Lesnar, but not much else has changed.
No matter what Roman Reigns does Sunday, it probably won’t be enough for a lot of fans in attendance at AT&T Stadium. The booing of Reigns is strange, because most fans will admit privately they don’t have much a problem with the man himself. It’s what he represents, and the sense that his place on the card is undeserved.
For his part, Reigns hasn’t done much to curry favor for himself. In at least one recent interview, he sounded to some fans like a guy who’s oblivious to the reasons many haven’t taken to him.
“I think there’s a few different reasons why. You could name a bunch of them. I don’t think we could actually put a finger on one and say this is the reason why. Typically if you hear the boos, it generally is grown men my age and I’m not really in this business for the grown men. (laughs) I’m in this business for the families. That’s what we are; we’re a PG product. We’re a family-based product. We’re here to entertain families and give them enjoyment. If you’re a 30-year-old man and you want to flip me off at a kids show, then, hey, like I said, you paid your money but just be careful because you could get kicked out.”
If Reigns doesn’t understand why he’s being booed, how is WWE ever going to be able to turn public opinion in his favor? There’s still a lot of uncertainty surrounding Roman Reigns, which makes you wonder if he’s the right choice to be the face of the company. Maybe that heel turn isn’t such a bad idea after all?
Shane McMahon vs. The Undertaker – Hell In A Cell What’s At Stake -Undertaker’s career at WrestleMania. Shane McMahon’s future in WWE. Control of Monday Night Raw. Shane’s lock box of McMahon family secrets. Vince McMahon’s on-air presence on WWE television. The future of The Authority.
Have the stakes ever been greater or more numerous for a WrestleMania match? Shane McMahon roared back onto WWE television like a knight in shining armor, and soon after that, found himself set to face The Undertaker inside Hell In A Cell at WrestleMania.
Seemingly everything is on the line. Vince McMahon stated that if The Undertaker loses it will be his last match at WrestleMania. If Shane McMahon loses, who knows how long it could be before we see him again? If Shane wins, everything changes. He takes control of Monday Night Raw, and has publicly promised to fire The Authority and send Vince McMahon into exile. And what about that lock box? Shane mentioned it during his first night back on Raw, but it hasn’t been mentioned since. I’d assumed WWE had decided to forget about it too, but it’s still mentioned in a poll on the WWE website. Is there another layer to this story that has yet to be revealed?
As for the match itself, I expect a huge spectacle. It’s the son of the owner of the company vs. its most treasured and revered superstar. You can bet everything is on the table to make this match unforgettable.
Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar – No Holds Barred Street Fight What’s At Stake – Dean Ambrose’s best shot at superstardom.
Dean Ambrose is on the roll of his career in WWE. He put on a great match against Kevin Owens at Royal Rumble. Then, followed that with a strong showing in the Rumble match itself, where he was the last man eliminated by Triple H. His promos ahead of the main event title match against Triple H at Roadblock were so good, there were a lot of people who believed he could pull off the upset and throw the top of the WrestleMania card into chaos.
At some point over the past few months, the people in charge at WWE took notice. Rumors of a WrestleMania encounter between Brock Lesnar and Bray Wyatt evaporated. Instead, we’re getting this No Holds Barred Street Fight between Lesnar and Ambrose. I think it’s best for everyone.
Lesnar has brutalized Ambrose at every turn leading up to this match, but Dean remains undeterred. These two will have almost every “toy” and tool at their disposal Sunday night, and I can’t help but wonder how far Ambrose is willing to go to get his revenge for all those beatings he’s taken from The Beast.
Somebody better put Lucha Underground’s Nunchuck Club on notice.
Brock Lesnar has lost exactly one singles match in WWE over the past two years. Lesnar’s last loss in a singles match at WrestleMania was against Triple H at WrestleMania 29. Coincidentally, that was also a No Holds Barred Match. WWE has gone to great lengths over the past couple years to protect the aura of Brock Lesnar. If Ambrose wins Sunday, it will be a huge accomplishment and it would elevate his stardom to new heights.
Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch What’s At Stake – WWE Divas Championship. A chance to ignite the true Divas Revolution.
A year ago, Vince McMahon attended his first NXT live event in San Jose during WrestleMania weekend. One of the matches that night was Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks. By most accounts, they stole the show that night. The event was a huge success for NXT – a seminal moment in the brand’s history.
I imagine Vince McMahon decided on the spot that Banks and Charlotte would face off again a year later. Only this time, it would be on the biggest stage of their careers at WrestleMania. Somewhere along the way, Becky Lynch earned herself a place in what could be the moment longtime fans of NXT’s women’s division have been waiting for. These three have delivered in big matches before, but the stage (and the stakes) have never been this high. Can they deliver? If they do, the Divas Revolution we were promised may finally become reality.
A.J. Styles vs. Chris Jericho What’s At Stake – A.J. Styles’ path to the top of WWE.
Leaving TNA was the best A.J. Styles ever made. Not long after he left Dixieland, Styles was headlining events for Ring Of Honor, New Japan and countless independent promotions. Today, he is arguably the best pro wrestler on the planet. That’s certainly why WWE was interested in him.
Styles’ debut was perhaps the biggest moment during last January’s Royal Rumble match. The moment he stepped through the curtain in Orlando, Florida, he was one of the biggest stars in WWE, but instead of contending for the world title, he finds himself in a prolonged storyline with Chris Jericho. The end result should be a really good match at WrestleMania, but Styles (and frankly, Jericho too) is capable of so much more. Hopefully, this is a first step toward even bigger things.
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz vs. Zack Ryder vs. Stardust vs. Sin Cara – Ladder Match What’s At Stake – WWE Intercontinental Championship.
The unique destinies of so many men are tied to this match. Kevin Owens is out to steal the show he’s dubbed #KOMania, but Sami Zayn has already stolen one show this weekend.
Zayn is coming off one of the great matches in NXT history Friday night. He and Shinsuke Nakamura blew the roof off of NXT TakeOver: Dallas in what could be the signature match of WrestleMania weekend. It was bittersweet knowing it may be the last time we see Sami Zayn in an NXT ring, especially because he’s yet to be fully embraced by the WWE Universe.
The rest of the men in Sunday’s ladder match are a mixed bag. Dolph Ziggler has waited too long for his first singles match at WrestleMania, and it’s a shame he won’t get it this year. The Miz will remind you at every turn that he was once in the main event of WrestleMania. Stardust, Sin Cara and Zack Ryder all bring something to this match. This could exceed a lot of people’s expectations.
The New Day vs. The League Of Nations What’s At Stake – The cheers and adulation of the WWE Universe.
One of the hottest acts in WWE is stuck in a match where their W…W…E World Tag Team Championships aren’t even on the line, but there is something to be gained here. The current kings of moving merchandise in WWE are looking for cheers, and this match will likely solidify them as a team fans can get behind.
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal (List of participants on WWE.com: Heath Slater, Curtis Axel, Adam Rose, Bo Dallas, Big Show, Kane, Tyler Breeze, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Fandango, Damien Sandow, Darren Young, Konnor, Viktor, Goldust, R-Truth) What’s At Stake – A big trophy. The tradition returns for the third straight WrestleMania, but look at that list of participants. Do you see an obvious winner? Makes you wonder if we could a surprise entrant and winner.
The Usos vs. The Dudley Boyz What’s At Stake – Fresh momentum toward a tag team title shot.
I was really enjoying the interaction between these two teams, but it has cooled a bit in recent weeks. Still, I’d expect them to put on a solid match, and it will be cool to see the Dudley Boyz back on the big stage at WrestleMania.
The Total Divas vs. B.A.D. & Blonde What’s At Stake – A chance to shut up the doubters.
10 Divas are thrown together into this hastily built tag team match. It’ll be Lana’s first appearance as an in-ring performer. It will be Eva Marie’s return to main roster action after some time in NXT. It will also be a big return for Emma, who reinvented herself in NXT. A lot of fans are hating on this match, but there’s a lot of talent involved.
Kalisto vs. Ryback What’s At Stake – WWE United States Championship
A year ago, the U.S. Title was on the line in one of the biggest matches of WrestleMania 31. Kalisto and Ryback have a challenge on their hands, but the story of the fighting, undersized champion against the big, musclebound bully should be effective. It just hope the fans are let inside the stadium before this match happens.
Being a WWE fan isn’t always easy. It’s hard to resist the urge to complain about things we don’t like. Just remember, Sunday is our day. Revel in your fandom and your passion for professional wrestling. Embrace those around you who love it too. Enjoy WrestleMania, and everything that’s surrounding it this weekend. There’s no better time to be a fan.
First-Timers Must Seize The Singles Spotlight At WrestleMania
Just about every professional wrestler dreams of performing at WrestleMania, but not everyone’s experience on WWE’s biggest show of the year is created equal.
These days, it seems every warm body on WWE’s main roster gets onto the big show. Some may spend only a few seconds in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Others may play a bit part in a multi-person match. Then, there’s the select few who get a far more coveted spot on a WrestleMania card – a singles match. In WWE, you’re not one of the elite until you’ve gone one-on-one with someone on the grandest stage in sports entertainment. (more…)
Mayhem Mania 2016 – Round 8
This… is… Mayhem Mania! Not quite a game. Not really a contest. More like a competitive thought experiment. The object is to create the best WrestleMania card possible – NOT necessarily to predict what WWE will do.
This is not fantasy booking (even though it kind of is). Any match created must be possible in real life. That means all wrestlers come in their current physical, emotional and contractual state. Anyone selected for a match must have a reasonable chance of being hired by WWE to appear on the real-life WrestleMania card. Simply put, we have to play by the same rules as Vince McMahon.
Round 8 of Mayhem Mania 2016 was held during the Wrestling Mayhem Show (@MayhemShow) on SUPER Tuesday, March 1. Five members of the WMS Universe were chosen to make a single “move” or a change to the card. They had the usual 3 options:
1. SWAP a wrestler/tag team with another already on the card.
2. ADD an unused wrestler/tag team to an existing match.
3. TRADE a wrestler/match for an entirely new match with unused wrestlers.
In addition, the SUBTRACT option is still in play. It can be used to remove one person from any match (singles matches not eligible. That would be weird). This option can be used only once during Mayhem Mania. After that, it’s gone forever.
Any match that survives 3 rounds in Mayhem Mania without being altered GRADUATES to the SUPER CARD, and it finally happened following Round 7.
MAYHEM MANIA 2016 – THE SUPERCARD!
Finn Bálor vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
(Created by @eamon2please)
That opens a slot for a new match to be created on the “undercard”. Since Eamon created the match that graduated, he got to the create the new match to fill the opening. In addition, Eamon was granted a second prize – The ELIMINATOR. He can use this at any time to remove any single person from Mayhem Mania 2016. Those on the current card are protected from the ELIMINATOR, but if they are traded out for someone else, they would be vulnerable. Eamon can hold on to this move as long as he wants before using it.
Eamon also got the last move in Round 8 under the “Alex Kahrs Rule”, and got to hand out a dose of “punishment” to one of the other participants, forcing one to spin the Wheel Of NXT Tag Teams Not Named Enzo & Big Cass and using whichever team is lands on. Eamon was a busy boy in Round 8, and as you will see, he proved himself to be a true master of Mayhem Mania. Even I was astonished by how well he played his accumulated advantage into something even greater.
Move 3 (@Bobbyfjtown)
(*Forced to spin the Wheel Of NXT Tag Teams Not Named Enzo & Big Cass, which landed on Blake & Murphy)
TRADE Shane McMahon & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon for Blake & Murphy vs. American Alpha vs. The Revival
Move 4 (Antonio Garza – @TheWRevolution)
TRADE The New Day vs. Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady & Mark Henry for Roman Reigns vs. Jimmy Uso vs. Jey Uso vs. Nia Jax
Move 5 (@MadMike4883)
TRADE Natalya vs. Asuka for Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs. Shane McMahon & Ronda Rousey
That’s right. Eamon created a match with the intention of altering it later. Under the “Alex Kahrs Rule”, that gurantees him the final move in Round 9 next week. It’s devious. It’s brilliant.
Here are the 3 matches that survived Round 8 without being altered in any way.
Apollo Crews vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Bray Wyatt
(Created by @Sorgatron)
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kalisto vs. A.J. Styles
(Created by @HotWheelzRWA)
The Ascension vs. Gold & Stardust vs. Stephen Amell & Neville
(Created by @Sorgatron)
And now, here are the 5 newly created matches following Round 8.
Mojo Rawley vs. Baron Corbin
(Created by @eamon2please)
Jimmy Uso vs. Roman Reigns vs. Nia Jax vs. Jey Uso
(Created by Antonio Garza – @TheWRevolution)
Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs. Ronda Rousey & Shane McMahon
(Created by @MadMike4883)
Blake & Murphy vs. The Revival vs. American Alpha
(Created by @Bobbyfjtown)
Round 9 is next Tuesday night on the Wrestling Mayhem Show. Don’t miss the live broadcast at live.sorgatronmedia.com starting around 9 p.m. A friendly reminder that the spectacular and unpredictable Patreon In the Bank Round is coming up on March 15. If you want to take part, and help keep the lights on at the Mayhem Studios, head to the WMS Patreon page and find out how cheap and easy it is to support the show and get in on an exclusive opportunity to make bold and numerous changes to the Mayhem Mania card. More tenured Patreon subscribers will get preferential treatment, so the time to act is now!
What changes would you make to the current card? Who needs to be added to the card before it’s too late? Is Eamon the greatest Mayhem Mania player of all time? Share your feedback with us, and thanks for your support of Mayhem Mania! As a reward for your loyalty, here is your very own Wheel Of NXT Tag Teams Not Named Enzo & Big Cass to play with.
Mayhem Mania 2016 – Round 7
This… is… Mayhem Mania! Not quite a game. Not really a contest. More like a competitive thought experiment. The object is to create the best WrestleMania card possible – NOT necessarily to predict what WWE will do.
This is not fantasy booking (even though it kind of is). Any match created must be possible in real life. That means all wrestlers come in their current physical, emotional and contractual state. Anyone selected for a match must have a reasonable chance of being hired by WWE to appear on the real-life WrestleMania card. Simply put, we have to play by the same rules as Vince McMahon.
Round 7 of Mayhem Mania 2016 was held during the Wrestling Mayhem Show (@MayhemShow) on February 23. Five members of the WMS Universe were chosen to make a single “move” or a change to the card. They had the usual 3 options:
1. SWAP a wrestler/tag team with another already on the card.
2. ADD an unused wrestler/tag team to an existing match.
3. TRADE a wrestler/match for an entirely new match with unused wrestlers.
In addition, the new SUBTRACT option was introduced this week. It can be used to remove one person from any match (singles matches not eligible. That would be weird). This option can be used only once during Mayhem Mania. After that, it’s gone forever.
With that little twist now in play, let’s see how things played out this week.
Mayhem Mania 2016 – Round 7
Move 1 (@MadMike4883)
TRADE Kane & Roman Reigns vs. Luke Harper & Undertaker for Triple H & Stephanie McMahon vs. Shane McMahon & Ronda Rousey
Move 2 (@Eamon2Please)
ADD Goldust to Stardust vs. Stephen Amell & Neville
Move 3 (@Sorgatron)
ADD The Ascension to Gold & Stardust vs. Stephen Amell & Neville
Move 5 (@HotWheelzRWA)
ADD Kalisto to Shinsuke Nakamura vs. A.J. Styles
Any match that survives 3 rounds in Mayhem Mania without being altered GRADUATES to the SUPER CARD, and I’m happy to report…we have finally done it! After 7 brutal rounds, and several close calls, we have our first graduated match!
MAYHEM MANIA 2016 – THE SUPERCARD!
Finn Bálor vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
(Created by @eamon2please)
That opens a slot for a new match to be created on the “undercard”. Since Eamon created the match that graduated, he will get the create the new match next week. He will also get the last move next week under the “Alex Kahrs Rule”, and will get to hand out a dose of “punishment” to one of the other participants.
No more than 8 matches are allowed on the preliminary card at any one time. The goal is to graduate 8 matches before the real WrestleMania. I don’t know if we’re going to make it, but this is a nice start. Let’s look at the rest of the Mayhem Mania card after Round 7. First, here are the 3 other matches that survived the round without being altered in any way.
The New Day vs. Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady & Mark Henry
(Created by @eamon2please)
Natalya vs. Asuka
(Created by Antonio Garza – @TheWRevolution)
Apollo Crews vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Bray Wyatt
(Created by @Sorgatron)
And now, here are the 4 newly created matches following Round 7.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kalisto vs. A.J. Styles
(Created by @HotWheelzRWA)
The Ascension vs. Gold & Stardust vs. Stephen Amell & Neville
(Created by @Sorgatron)
Shane McMahon & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon
(Created by @MadMike4883)
Dean Ambrose vs. Luke Harper
(Created by @TheeRizz)
Round 8 is next Tuesday night on the Wrestling Mayhem Show. Don’t miss the live broadcast at live.sorgatronmedia.com starting around 9 p.m. A friendly reminder that the spectacular and unpredictable Patreon In the Bank Round is coming up on March 15. If you want to take part, and help keep the lights on at the Mayhem Studios, head to the WMS Patreon page and find out how cheap and easy it is to support the show and get in on an exclusive opportunity to make bold and numerous changes to the Mayhem Mania card. More tenured Patreon subscribers will get preferential treatment, so the time to act is now!
What changes would you make to the current card? Do you think the first graduated match is worthy of the SUPERCARD? Share your feedback with us, and thanks for your support of Mayhem Mania!
