WrestleMania Matches to Remember: The Triple H/Orton vs. Miz/Cena Showdowns
Choosing which WrestleMania matches were the worst is akin to asking which is the ugliest sibling. Both the Triple H/Randy Orton vs. John Cena/The Miz match at WrestleMania 25 and the subsequent Miz/Cena match at WrestleMania 27 share a similar fate, overshadowed by more hyped and memorable bouts that preceded them. However, let's delve into the reasons why these matches fell short.
Triple H/Randy Orton vs. John Cena/The Miz
The educational answer would be that both episodes are among the worst in WrestleMania history, but let's focus on the Triple H/Randy Orton vs. John Cena/The Miz match at WrestleMania 25. This encounter faced the challenge of being anticipated by a highly personal dance between Triple H and Randy Orton, which included their famous "Five Year guerra" narrative. However, the match itself took place in a standard format, not allowing the personal vendetta to fully materialize.
The John Cena vs. The Miz match was even worse, especially given the buildup. The match was touted as an intense, high-stakes affair, but its significance was diminished by its setup for a subsequent match at WrestleMania 28 featuring John Cena and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Add to this, rumor had it that CM Punk was originally supposed to face The Miz in that match. Ultimately, Dave Bautista, not The Miz, took on Cena, and WWE's decision to place such a promising pair in a precarious position was a significant oversight.
The Context of These Matches
Looking back, WWE's decision to place these matches mid-WrestleMania was a misstep. TheMatchers at WrestleMania 25, specifically, was overshadowed by the main event and the Triple H/Randy Orton relicaunch match. Similarly, the subsequent Miz/Cena match at WrestleMania 27 was not only undermined by the hype it generated but also by the unforeseen absence of CM Punk. CM Punk's exit left an opening for Dave Bautista, who, while capable, was not the immediate draw the match needed to succeed.
The Miz's entrance into the main event was premature. His talent was acknowledged, but at that point, he was not yet primed for such a significant role. WWE's decision to feature him in a main event without fully developing his character was a gamble that didn't pay off. Early in the match, The Miz suffered a severe concussion, which led to Cena performing most of the technical wrestling. This made for a less memorable experience for fans and affected the overall energy of the event.
The outcome of the match was further marred when Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson cost Cena the match at the end, leading to a disappointing conclusion. The match was already forgettable, and the Rock's intervention only served to sour the experience.
Miz vs. Orton wasn't a complete disaster, but it was not living up to the hype either. Despite the personal rivalry, the match lacked the fan investment and momentum that would have made it more impactful. The death mark, which involved following in the footsteps of Shawn Michaels (HBK) and Bret Hart (The Hart in the Arena), set an unrealistic bar that neither could reach. The fans and the wrestlers themselves knew that no amount of effort would bring them anywhere close to the legacy of HBK and Hart.
Optimizing for Better Matches
If these matches had been staged earlier in WrestleMania, perhaps WWE could have allowed them to build greater fan investment and energy. By positioning Triple H and Orton to deliver a competitive and exciting match early on, and letting Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart close the show with their legendary match, the entire night could have been elevated. The early matches would have set the tone for what was to come, making the return matches more poignant and memorable.
WrestleMania is a unique event where the narrative and excitement are crucial. Mistakes like these can overshadow the brilliance of the event and negatively impact its legacy for years to come. It's a reminder for future generations of WWE talent that consistent growth and the right narrative context are vital for delivering memorable moments-year after year.