WWE's 'Mania 29 problem with The Rock

[LAVAJava]

OK, after the announcement on Raw 1000 that Rock was going to challenge for the WWE title at the Royal Rumble, every man and his dog has (soundly) predicted that CM Punk will defend the strap against him. And then every dog and his fleas has (soundly) predicted Rock will win. I have too, it's a pretty safe bet!

Here then is the problem: Rock will defend the WWE title at 'Mania 29 against someone, likely either John Cena or Brock Lesnar, perhaps depending on if Brock is willing to sign a contract extension for beyond 'Mania 29. Also around this time, Rock's latest film (starting shooting yesterday I believe!) Fast 6 will be released so you can also bet your bottom dollar that Rock will be off again after 'Mania 29- which surely spoils that whoever he defends against at the grandest stage of them all will win.

The only other option is he retains at 'Mania and then drops it the next night on Raw perhaps, or gives it up but I don't like either of those ideas, they're anti-climatic compared to him losing at 'Mania. This is why most people expected him to challenge for the belt, rather than defend it, which could still happen but there is one other, totally crazy and left wing solution...

Rock leaves WITH the WWE Title.

Now, I know this sounds bonkers and there's next to no chance of it happening... but it could work! The titles in modern day WWE are more like props than anything and Rock actually leaving the promotion WITH the belt and the sudden absence of it would remind everyone who has come to take it for granted of its value. It would depend on when he would come back (and then lose it of course!) and also on whether WWE has the guts to have to ever do such a thing but with the brand extension all but dead and the World Heavyweight Title in play, it would have no ill effect on their business. For those thinking "what about house shows?", no worries, so long as John Cena is on the bill people will come, their business wont change. It would also be a huge storyline that would serve to re-boost the image of the World Title too.

FYI, I don't do fantasy booking, this isn't something that could never happen, it could easily happen! Imagine Rock appearing on all his movie promotion with the belt? Wouldn't that generate a level of interest? Again, I know this isn't going to happen, but I want to know if you all think it COULD work!?

[deerstalkerific]

Hm, hypothetically speaking I don't know if it could work because I just do not have faith in the WWE creative team or booking ability. To me, it'd be a dream to work with an angle like that, much like CM Punk leaving the company with the belt would have/was, but we all know WWE isn't anywhere near patient enough without wanting to pull the trigger. Hell, they couldn't even keep Rock out of the ring till WrestleMania.

Getting back on topic though, it would create an interesting potential situation, at least in my head. A strong power-play between CM Punk, John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, whoever isn't World Heavyweight Champion essentially about who is the best in The Rock's wake, who should take up the mantle as the actual working face of the company and who should be interim WWE champion until The Rock returns for one more bout and from this, you could easily bring back King of the Ring for a pay-per-view with HUGE interest, huge excitement and so on and so forth plus we'd also get a new belt at damn last! Sweet! And with a new champion being crowned (I'd imagine a heel for reasons you'll see in a few seconds) you'd have a bout set up for Summerslam, Rock vs the interim champion (see).

But as with all things fantasy booked, that's too good to be true.

[realdeal2414]

From the things ive read and discussed with a good friend of mine who stays in touch with Paul some is that they are several scenarios. Cena win at SS then lose to Rock and RR and then Punk to go over Rock at Mania. Another is Punk to keep title til Mania and lose it to Rock then only to lose it right back to him next night at Raw. Next one is for Punk to lose it to Rock at RR only to and get this lose it too Taker and Mania, that would be sweet to see Rock/Taker at Mania. Last one is Cena win at SS and then lose it too Rocky at Rumble and then a cena, punk, and rock three way at Mania. From what i have been told is that Rock/Cena will not happen again at WM. What do you guys think. I would like to see Rock/Taker at Mania, Lesnar/Punk and Cena/Ziggler.

[Orion Hardy]

I'm wondering if the WWE have any intention of putting the title on the Rock at all. They could have Punk Vs Rock at The Royal Rumble and have Cena come down and cost Rock the win (Either accidentally or deliberately), Make sure the Rumble itself is last and have Rock come out and cause Cena to be eliminated from the Rumble. They can then set up a more personal rematch between Rock and Cena at Wrestlemania, while Punk wrestles someone else (Maybe Brock) for the title.

[TeejIsMTFO]

I can see The Rock winning at the Royal Rumble and holding it till Wrestlemania. I feel like Cena would be the opportune opponent for him and winning this match would be the right call, for the simple fact that he gets his revenge, wins the title and "furthers his legacy" as one of the greatest Superstars of all time, as Vince wants him to be, and at this point, it's pretty inarguable. However, and here's me wishing on a shooting star, Austin becomes healthy enough to wrestle one more match, and it be against Punk, who by this time is a full-on heel, and Brock Lesnar faces the Undertaker for the 21-0, and Taker's retirement match. Again, wishful thinking.

[LAVAJava]

What might have been a good idea (and an option!) had WWE had any capability of long-term booking at all was keeping the WWE Title MITB contract active through Wrestlemania 29. It baffles me that they wasted the entire last 7 years of building up MITB with the whole 100% success rate on cash-ins by having Cena win it, just to get him against Punk on Raw 1000 and lose by some BS DQ. Why not have someone else win the contract and hold it for a while and have Cena get his shot against Punk by winning some battle royal or whatever.

That way, they could've had Rock retain the WWE Title at Mania if they wanted to and then given somebody a HUGE rub the next night on Raw by having them cash in on The Rock before he left.

Yet, never mind, a wasted opportunity down the drain.