While organizing my Canon and Satellite article page, I came across a Wrestlemania article I wrote last December that held a good share of predictions. How did I do?
I would put money down on quality storytelling than nonsensical surprise any day of the week.
Pretty eerie. Not one title change, or even particularly surprising thing happened on the show.
So, there are three stories in WWE right now with serious long-term thinking behind them. The first is the Nexus and John Cena.
Oof. Maybe my worst prediction ever.
The second story is the ascension of the Miz and Randy Orton as the main players on the show.
Though I was wrong about this matchup (it happened at the Rumble instead), I was dead right about their ascension. They each won at Mania.
The third story has gone nearly untold, between HHH and Sheamus.
To be fair, until the Undertaker showed up, this felt inevitable.
The argument for WWE’s success this year in the eyes of its fans may be less about Orton’s screaming tween fan club and more to do with a return to serious long-term planning.
One day after Wrestlemania XXVII, they book the main event of XXVIII. If that’s not long-term planning, nothing is.
So far, I’m enjoying this “holding myself accountable” thing. Maybe other people should try it sometime?