What the hell is WWE going to do...

[The Rated R CMStar]

...once Shawn Michaels retires? And I don't mean in a general aspect, day by day booking, because while one wouldn't say he won't be missed, he seems to spent too many time on the sidelines, so one can get used to it.


But I mean on a much more important aspect:

Wrestlemania.


In the past 2 years, WWE has afford trusting the show and the legacy of an entire event on Shawn Michaels. Sure, Edge and Taker put a great match, but WM 24 was all about Flair and Michaels. Orton and HHH had the big fight feel and build up, but it was all about HBK vs Taker. A case can be made previously for HBK vs Jericho and HBK vs Kurt Angle.

But Shawn himself has already stated WM26 may very well be his last, as his taking some time off once his contract expires, and even if he doesn't do that, injuries won't let him reach WM27 anyways.


But the most worrying part is, how the hell is WWE going to sell Mania without him? WM has as a trait having a big "undercard" main event besides the title matches (usually weaker), usually dream matches, and since WM 19, they all have been for Shawn Michaels.


But what will happen when he goes? Honestly, I don't see anyone on his level to be place in dream match after dream match at WM, I don't see a man being able to steal the show like he does. The only one might be John Cena, but even his dream matches are quite limited (Taker, Rock, Austin, Batista), and out of those, 2 are highly unlikely.

So, what do you think WWE will do or who do you think will be pushed to take HBK's special attraction spot in WM

 

[seX-Power]

CM Punk. He's won twice at WM in a very prestigious match and if he prevails in a singles match at WM26 he could be the very next Show Stopper, the man who steals the show at Wrestlemania. What would make that even more awesome is if he would beat HBK at WM26 in a sort of 'passing the torch' match to crown a new Mr Wrestlemania for this generation.

 

[-TJ-]

HBK has always been a big WM seller. Once we get to WM 27 wwe might try to do special matches between two people who people would like to see, but not call dream matches. I would like to see Edge vs. Christian TLC, but i wouldn't call that a dream match. xD Also they have to make that match really long. xD

To be honest around the end of WM 26 HBK and Taker will both be gone which in that case WWE is screwed.

One more thing the only guy I would think to be the next generation HBK would be John Morrison.

 

[Chuck Taylor's Grenade]

You know I am absolutely dreading the day when Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Kane, basically anybody who was wrestling back in 1998 retires. They were the last class of truly great workers who could have great matches with anybody and could improvise during the match if something went wrong.

But yeah I agree basically HBK has been the main selling point of Wrestlemania for the past 3 or 4 years. If he's gone who's gonna draw people in based on the promise of an awesome match. I know Cena would probably draw in people based on him being John Cena but people aren't gonna be like oh man that John Cena-name here match is gonna be awesome.

 

[MikeRaw]

They'll survive. That's what they do. I really, really appreciate what Shawn has brought to WWE over his career, but like you said, on a day to day part, he won't be missed. They'll have 365 days between each Mania to hype someone up. WWE always finds a way to make new stars, whether it be when Cena, Batista, and Orton got over in a short period of time, or when Austin and Rock became megastars, or when Hogan was made huge. What do all those have in common? Right before those guys were made huge, there were questions as to who would take the spot of the peopel who left before them, and no one predicted them to be the answer.
They'll find someone, it's just tought to say who.
A guy like Swagger, in say 2 years can fill a Kurt Angle type role. Best case scenario, Morrison can take on an HBK type role. If he can't, a guy like Punk seems to fit the mold. Not the mold of HBK, but the mold of highly anticipated 5 star matches.

 

[Kaedon]

Someone will step up, its the circle of wrestling life. When a top guy leaves, a guy below him is brought up. And the guy below THAT guy is brought up. And, make no mistake, while there is not an in ring performer like him, there doesnt need to be. There are a ton of guys who can have a good match with anyone.

 

[Luke Flywalker]

Someone will step up. Hogan doesn't do WM anymore, they still draw big for HBK. They'll draw big for someone else eventually.

 

[Kaptain KnicKy]

Yeh, plus Mania is a once of thing every year. They'll have 12ish months to build a superstar, and then a few months (if not more) to build the match. Mike said it best - they'll survive. HBK will be missed dearly I think - his WM matches since 19 have been stellar! But someone, or a combination of someone's will replace him each year.

 

[Enigma22]

obviously they will survive without him but i dont think anyone can fill hbks shoes. they can still put on a good show without him but he is the best wrester ever imo and no one draws like him. people can still have amazing matches but people wanna see hbk's amazing matches more then an amazing match put on by some other guy just cause its hbk.

 

[mancilla 86]

i personally dont enjoy as much seeing michaels in the ring, for some reason he doesnt do it for me..J/K !! i think wwe should start investing more on building new and young superstars..the time of old vets like hbk taker etc is coming to an end..

 

[Gards Jr.]

As for the question, what will they do at 27 if he does retire at 26, the showstopper of that show will be one if not all of 3 people tbh:

CM Punk: Punk is a big star and is already doing well at Wrestlemania recently so it seems they are building him up as a big Wrestlemania star. He has the potential to put on many 5 Star matches as evident to the Regal, Jericho and Mysterio matches he can pull through in most matches. To me all he needs to do is pull out a better finisher and one that can come out of nowhere to be a bigger star. He will be one of the next Wrestlemania Stars.

John Morrison: Has great potential as a heel or a face to put on a great match and is willing to put his body on the line. He has a great moveset to be put over with the crowd and get heat or a good face reaction. He can wrestle a great match and his finisher is good. Although it would be good for him to have one to come out of nowhere a bit like Punk, it give a match more of a good feeling giving it a better 5 star match rating. He can put on a 5 Star match with most people and should be good on the largest stage of them all.

or

....

Tyson Kidd: A great talent that is good on the ground game and can go in the air when needed, he can do many different things so that he can be a next Wrestlemania star. He can be a 5 Star match participant and when he gets going this kid can not be stopped. He is my pick to be the next Wrestlemania star and possibly, a replacement for HBK.

 

[seX-Power]

How could you say those guys could have 5 star matches with most guys when they have not had 1 5 star match at all before?

 

[Gards Jr.]

All of them are in particularly early days in their WWE careers from December 2005 for Nitro/Morrison and 2006 for Punk. Kidd has only recently debuted and he has a good look and his work in long matches is good and him teaming with Harry Smith and he can do well in both Tag Team and Singles action. I look forward to what they can do up till 2011.

 

[seX-Power]

All of them are in particularly early days in their WWE careers from December 2005 for Nitro/Morrison and 2006 for Punk. Kidd has only recently debuted and he has a good look and his work in long matches is good and him teaming with Harry Smith and he can do well in both Tag Team and Singles action. I look forward to what they can do up till 2011.

I understand where you're coming from, but I'm just saying that if none have had a 5 satr match in the WWE, we can't just assume they could have one. Kidd could be a good choice though, he is one to watch for the future.

 

[Gards Jr.]

You have never say Kidd's work on the outside of the WWE have you, try searching TJ Wilson on Youtube, he is awesome.