Good opening promo by Barrett. I like how this show builds matches and angles.
Pretty good handicap match. I'm not hugely upset that PTP lost since they got in some pretty good offense beforehand. I think tapouts hurt as a general rule and should be relatively but I see why they did what they did. They could have easily had Miz beat both of them in singles matches in quick succession via tapout, but they didn't go that route, so I don't think this is any kind of punishment or "burial" of PTP.
VERY good promo by Show (compared to a lot of other stuff he's done in his career). He's still a long way from being one of my favorites, but they're moving him in the right direction. He's definitely earned the right to be a regular part of the show, but he's better in smallish doses like they're using him now.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
WWE issued a correction to the story that Paul Bearer's sons weren't ok with Monday's angle. Naturally, the rabid dogs of the IWC jumped all over the original story before all the facts were known, completely misinterpreted Bearer's son's remarks, and blew the whole thing out of proportion.
Bruno Sammartino and Triple H were interviewed about Bruno going into the Hall of Fame. A very good story about a phenomenal man.
Here's an article on the economic impact of WrestleMania.
Members of the NXT roster will be wrestling at WrestleMania AXXESS. They have a big opportunity to impress there.
Big Show will be on "Supah (sic) Ninjas" on 4/5. I'll give him his due; he's still got mainstream credibility.
Fandango was part of Opie & Anthony yesterday, completely in-character. This is one of my new favorite acts. I hope this guy goes places. He really cares about his craft and character from what I've seen. Some guys would have shown up in regular clothes and done the interview as pretty much themselves. Props to him for keeping up some mystique about his gimmick.
AJ Lee was interviewed in New Jersey. Talk about someone who's come a LONG way from living in her car. I definitely think her authenticity and uniqueness has helped her a lot. She's not trying to be Trish Stratus or Kelly Kelly because that's not who she is.
Sam Roberts and Michelle Beadle talked about their love of WWE and other things. Whoa, what if The Rock not having the WWE Title with him is part of trying to get Cena cheered? I like Punk as a face as well. Funny Carmelo story. They have a good point about so much WWE on TV in a week as to where it's hard to keep up with all of it. Interesting theory on Stone Cold. And finally we find two people in the media who are ok with the Bearer angle.
Here's another article about C.M. Punk vs. The Undertaker. Punk's face when people complain about the use of Paul Bearer's death:
The Miz also talked ahead of WrestleMania. He's great as the PR guy of the company.
Kofi Kingston talked ahead of Monday's Raw. I think he and Cesaro are worthy of a Mania spot (if the show wasn't already stacked). If those part-time guys weren't there, I think they might have been on the card in some way. It's kind of funny that he gets confused with RGIII. In a perfect world, RGIII would be confused with him. Good interview. I think Miz would have immediately said that the WWE Championship was more important, which would have earned him points.
Ric Flair has canceled his appearances over WrestleMania weekend, which is understandable. He'll be replaced with The Undertaker at AXXESS. That's huge! That will be really interesting. He's rarely in situations like that.
WWE composer Jim Johnston was interviewed. Very good look at someone you don't normally hear much about. I think he's earned a Hall of Fame nod when he retires as he's been very important to the company over the years. I think there's a parallel there between young, hungry musicians and young, hungry wrestlers.
Here's another "WWE using social media" story. Nothing to really add.
Big Show talked about WrestleMania from Yankee Stadium. He's not a bad guy. I'm just kind of worn out with seeing him. This hasn't been as much of a factor lately since he's not as big of a part of the show. I liked the plug for Fandango.
Bobby Lashley talked. I'd like to see what he'd do in wresting in 2013. Also, I can't help but think of this picture from the Figure 4 Weekly Wiki:
John Cena talked. Say what you will about him; he puts the company, its events, and its competitors over.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Not that WWE hasn't inducted non-WWE (WWWF, WWF) names. But yeah, ultimately it's a business/publicity deal as much as it is about honoring people who deserve it. They ABSOLUTELY should induct him, though, if possible.
2. Ha. Yeah, I doubt Vince thought about that too much. Sometimes with him, it's not about what you did in the past but what you can do for him NOW. I think he saw a business opportunity with Fandango the way he saw a business opportunity with bringing in Eric Bischoff, etc..
3. I absolutely think that live reporting has hurt viewership. Back "in the day" more people had to watch to find out if it was good or not. Not so much these days. I don't think sites should stop reporting or anything, since there's clearly an audience for it, but you can definitely make the argument that it's hurt viewership.
4. Kane is a CHANGED MAN. Did you not see the Anger Management skits? Seriously, though, it wouldn't shock me since WWE likes using the same material years after it got stale.
Sadly I'm not enough of an "expert" (which I don't consider myself anyway) to give a good answer to 5.
More wrestling tomorrow. A Blue Echo podcast will be recorded later in the day.
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