WWE WrestleMania XXX Preview and Live Discussion - April 6th, 2014

[Fuji Vice]

The red and yellow is back, brother.

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has returned to WWE and will host WrestleMania 30 on Sunday, April 6, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Hogan will make his long-awaited return to WWE on tonight's Raw. He will also appear on WWE Raw Backstage Pass, airing live on WWE Network immediately following Raw.

“We are thrilled that Hulk Hogan has returned home to WWE,” WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon said. “It’s fitting to have him help us celebrate 30 years of WrestleMania and usher in a new era with the launch of WWE Network.”

A larger-than-life icon, Hogan was regarded as the “Face of WWE” when Randy Orton was still in snakeskin diapers. The Hulkster’s rise to sports-entertainment immortality began on Jan. 23, 1984, when he defeated The Iron Sheik in Madison Square Garden to become WWE Champion. That victory started a pop culture phenomenon known as “Hulkamania” with Hogan bringing WWE to international prominence with appearances on MTV, his own animated series and a definitive WrestleMania III main event against Andre the Giant in front of a record 93,173 fans in the Pontiac Silverdome.

The Hulkster went on to become a six-time WWE Champion, and a WrestleMania icon, battling everyone from The Rock to 2014 WWE Hall of Fame inductee The Ultimate Warrior on The Grandest Stage of Them All. In 2005, Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his “Rocky III” co-star Sylvester Stallone. His red and yellow boots have not touched a WWE mat since December 2007, but that will change tonight.

“Words cannot express how excited I am to be back in the WWE family,” Hogan said. “I only have one question for the WWE Universe: Whatcha you gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild as the host of WrestleMania 30?”

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. Batista

At WrestleMania 30 on Sunday, April 6, six-time World Champion Batista returns to The Grandest Stage of Them All to challenge The Face of WWE, Randy Orton, for the most prestigious title in all of sports-entertainment, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The championship battle will etch not only a new chapter in The Show of Shows’ already illustrious history, but also the latest development in the years-long competition between The Animal and The Viper, former Evolution cohorts.

Batista punched his ticket to a WrestleMania main event in New Orleans by overcoming 29 other Superstars to win the Royal Rumble Match in January. The contest was his first match back after a nearly four-year absence from the ring. Upon returning to WWE, the always-candid Batista made his objective perfectly clear: to win the WWE World Heavyweight Title in the main event of WrestleMania 30.

Although Orton has knowingly eyed Batista as his No. 1 contender since Royal Rumble, The Viper’s path to the main event of The Showcase of the Immortals was anything but guaranteed. To ensure his spot, Orton had to first survive a supremely competitive Elimination Chamber Match lineup on Feb. 23 with his championship reign intact. Thanks in part to interference by Bray Wyatt and Kane — each of whom took John Cena and Daniel Bryan out of the championship picture, respectively — WWE’s Apex Predator slithered out of the Chamber with the title still his.

Now, The Face of WWE is set on a collision course with a Superstar who is all too familiar with his ruthless mindset.

Orton and Batista spent their formative years together as the two junior members of Evolution — one of the most powerful factions in wrestling history, guided by Triple H and WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair. Although they spent many months fighting side-by-side, Batista and Orton’s subsequent ring wars are also well documented. Batista even dethroned Orton to win his first WWE Championship in June 2009 – in New Orleans, no less.

Both Superstars have grown by leaps and bounds since their nascent days as mere pupils of The Game and “The Nature Boy.” Despite his hiatus from the ring, Batista — newly empowered by his Jiu-Jitsu studies — has proven in his comeback to be every bit as destructive as he was years ago. Former WWE and World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio found that out the hard way at Elimination Chamber, when Batista downed him with an explosive Batista Bomb. And even though Orton’s merit to be called The Face of WWE has been called into question, there is no denying The Viper has found ways to hold onto the WWE World Heavyweight Title in even the direst of straits.

With the unification of the WWE and World Heavyweight Titles last December, this year marks the first time in more than a decade that there has been a single World Champion at WrestleMania, adding an even greater air of grandiosity to the proceedings. Will The Viper slither out of New Orleans and continue his historic title reign? Or, will Batista complete his stated goal and stand alone as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion? Find out when WrestleMania 30 airs live on WWE Network Sunday, April 6, starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT!

​

The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar

Since returning to WWE nearly two years ago, Brock Lesnar has basked in his wanton destruction, whether it was breaking the arms of WWE Legends, decimating Big Show with chairs or bringing Triple H to the brink of retirement.

At WrestleMania 30, however, the self-proclaimed No. 1 contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Champion will stare down perhaps his gravest challenge yet: The Undertaker.

The Deadman shockingly confronted The Beast Incarnate on the Feb. 24 edition of Raw. The Undertaker’s unannounced appearance came as Lesnar and his advocate, Paul Heyman — given the opportunity by The Authority to name Lesnar’s WrestleMania opponent — were prepared to turn down Triple H and Stephanie McMahon's offer.

To Lesnar and Heyman’s surprise, WWE's one and only Deadman emerged. Seemingly changing his mind on the spot, Lesnar made no hesitation to sign the open contract before shoving a pen into Undertaker's chest. The Deadman took umbrage at The Beast's gesture, slamming the pen down into Lesnar's hand before chokeslamming him through a table in the middle of the ring. As The Undertaker gazed at the WrestleMania 30 sign that looms over the squared circle, the WWE Universe buzzed as the battle between the two juggernauts became official.

As the keeper of WWE’s most extraordinary record going today, a flawless 21-0 WrestleMania Streak, The Undertaker has proven to be all but unbeatable at The Grandest Stage of Them All. Will the same be true when he faces the Heyman-coached Anomaly?

Even though it has been more than a decade since their last battle, The Undertaker and Lesnar are familiar foes, having famously warred during The Beast Incarnate’s first run in WWE.

Now, the rematch that long seemed hypothetical will become a reality at The Showcase of The Immortals. Heyman insists his charge is the rightful top contender to WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton, and a victory over The Undertaker at WrestleMania, of all places, might be all the proof The Authority needs to agree. Yet, the opportunity for greatness is pocked with severe risk: Twenty-one times, The Undertaker has turned back challenges from WWE’s top Superstars, from Triple H to Randy Orton to Shawn Michaels, at WrestleMania. Might the newest addition to the list be a Beast that has bested him before?

To watch how the high-stakes matchup plays out, be sure to watch WrestleMania 30 when it airs on Sunday, April 6, from New Orleans’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, live on WWE Network.

--------------------

​

Well folks, we're only 41 days away to WrestleMania XXX (the porn edition?) and its time to start getting excited. Obviously you American fans can get more excited at the prospect of getting the show for free while the rest of us will still be paying for it. However, more than that, its time to start talking about the matches we expect to see on the card. Obviously Orton/Batista seems to be set in stone regardless of how anyone in the WWE Universe feels about it, so I guess we've got that to "look forward to".

Meanwhile, Hulk Hogan is BACK BROTHER, and he's hosting this year so we should definitely expect to hear several "brothers", "dudes" and "you know something Mean Gene's". In fact, I'd be very happy to see Mean Gene there as well, given its an anniversary show and while we're on that subject, who else do you think will pop up as special guests?

So what are your thoughts on the show? The potential matches? Undertaker's streak being in jeopardy (lol)?

Any and all WrestleMania XXX discussion should take place in here now and through the actual show itself.

 

[Wangman Page]

Re: Wrestlemania XXX Preview and Live Discussion - April 6th, 2014

Well I am stoked and hope to see some nWo stuff too but I am holding my breath on that one.

 

[Postman Dave]

Re: Wrestlemania XXX Preview and Live Discussion - April 6th, 2014

So not only are we going with Batista/Orton, but we're actually openly acknowledging peoples apathy towards it, and STILL DOING IT.

*shakes head*

 

[Wangman Page]

Re: Wrestlemania XXX Preview and Live Discussion - April 6th, 2014

It's horrible isn't it. Nice to see Vincent and Trips give a collective middle finger to the fans

using facial recognition on my galaxy s4

 

[Joey]

Re: Wrestlemania XXX Preview and Live Discussion - April 6th, 2014

So not only are we going with Batista/Orton, but we're actually openly acknowledging peoples apathy towards it, and STILL DOING IT.

*shakes head*

Yeah that match is gonna suck eggs.

The fans are gonna eat them alive


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Orobin Thor]

Re: Wrestlemania XXX Preview and Live Discussion - April 6th, 2014

I'm not a fan of Brock v Taker either. Orton v Batista is going to be a Boo-fest.

 

[Postman Dave]

Well thankfully, WWE have come to their senses and adjusted the top of the card. The show is now so much more appealing to me.

The Battle Royale is a great way to get a load of guys on the show, but I dislike the fact it means a lot of guys who should be doing more end up hidden away in it (see the IC champ Big E)

 

[Postman Dave]

So with Rybaxel being removed from the WWE.com battle royal list, it's save to assume the tag title match will be a three way between them, Real Americans & The Usos. Throw in what looks like a certain Shield vs. Kane/NAO match and the inevitable Divas match and it looks like we've got our full 8 match card.

Solid enough show I guess. The Daniel Bryan situation at the top of the card thankfully adds a lot of interest to the show, but I can't help but feel they've got a lot of great guys wasted in that Battle Royal.

I can see the Shield match getting bumped to the pre-show. I absolutely hope I'm wrong on that one.

 

[Fuji Vice]

So with Rybaxel being removed from the WWE.com battle royal list, it's save to assume the tag title match will be a three way between them, Real Americans & The Usos. Throw in what looks like a certain Shield vs. Kane/NAO match and the inevitable Divas match and it looks like we've got our full 8 match card.

Solid enough show I guess. The Daniel Bryan situation at the top of the card thankfully adds a lot of interest to the show, but I can't help but feel they've got a lot of great guys wasted in that Battle Royal.

I can see the Shield match getting bumped to the pre-show. I absolutely hope I'm wrong on that one.

I could actually see the Tag Titles match get the pre-show treatment. It's not like they haven't done it before (I believe it was 'Mania XXVIII) plus with the NAO being Hunter's buddies it only makes sense to get them on the actual show. That being said, perhaps with proper time management and a few less musical performances, ALL these matches could be on the actual show. Wouldn't that be amazing?

Kind of sad to see Cesaro out of the Battle Royal, he was one of my faves going in. I think I'll be backing the Big Show horse from here on in.

 

[Postman Dave]

I could actually see the Tag Titles match get the pre-show treatment. It's not like they haven't done it before (I believe it was 'Mania XXVIII) plus with the NAO being Hunter's buddies it only makes sense to get them on the actual show.

That's true, that one could get bumped too. Of course, that'd mean Cesaro gets bumped to the pre-show, so either is a lose-lose scenario.

That being said, perhaps with proper time management and a few less musical performances, ALL these matches could be on the actual show. Wouldn't that be amazing?

You and your crazy ideas Fuji!

 

[Postman Dave]

I could actually see the Tag Titles match get the pre-show treatment. It's not like they haven't done it before (I believe it was 'Mania XXVIII) plus with the NAO being Hunter's buddies it only makes sense to get them on the actual show.

Chalk up another victory for Fuji Vice.

 

[Fuji Vice]

Chalk up another victory for Fuji Vice.

Not exactly one I'm happy to win though. I guess there's too many musical acts booked to get more wrestling onto a show called Wrestlemania.


Sent from my iPad 2 using Tapatalk

 

[Jimmy King]

Not exactly one I'm happy to win though. I guess there's too many musical acts booked to get more wrestling onto a show called Wrestlemania.


Sent from my iPad 2 using Tapatalk

I realize that you were probably joking about the musical acts, but I actually think there hasn't been musical acts announced. I had heard that Mark Crozier (the dude that does Bray's theme) will be performing Bray's entrance live but I don't think that counts to what you were referring to.

 

[Postman Dave]

I had heard that Mark Crozier (the dude that does Bray's theme) will be performing Bray's entrance live but I don't think that counts to what you were referring to.

I think he announced it somewhere then quickly deleted the post. I hope so, the Wyatt theme would be sick live.

WWE have posted a coupke of cool things recently in the build up to this event. Firstly is the debut of a new youtube series looking at the stuff in the WWE Warehouse, this episode concentrating on WM rings.

[video=youtube;DYL3iSS9hZU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYL3iSS9hZU[/video]

The second is a post on the official website talking about 10 WM matches that almost happened. I'll post the link below, but the 10 matches are:

Mick Foley vs. Mr. McMahon - WM17
IRS, The Headshrinkers, Rick Martel & Jeff Jarrett vs. Tatanka, The Smoking Gunns, Sparky Plugg & The 1-2-3 Kid - WM10
Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan - WM8
Mike Tyson vs. Triple H (Boxing Match) - WM17
Razor Ramon vs. Goldust (Miami Street Fight) - WM12
Big Show vs. Shaq - WM28
John Cena vs. Jay-Z or Fabulous (Battle Rap) - WM19
Kane vs. X-Pac - WM16
Mankind vs. Vader - WM13
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan - WM18

http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/10-wrestlemania-matches-that-almost-happened

Some are well known, some others not so much. HHH vs. Tyson & Cena vs. Jay-Z are pretty trippy to read about.

 

[Jimmy King]

I remember the thing with Cena challenging Jay-Z and Fabolous to a rap battle, and he ended up doing the rap battle on his own basically dissing them both :

[video=dailymotion;x1rge8]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1rge8_john-cena-raps-on-jay-z_sport[/video]