Wrestlemania XXX; otherwise known as a launching pad.

Welcome to the first ever blog post from Impressions on Wrestling.  I look forward to bringing this project to life.  In the coming weeks we will have new content, including a podcast.  What I want to do is set up the future of this site, and ultimately the future of wrestling. To do that we need to do a little trip through history on our road to Wrestlemania XXX.  So we need to walk to the launching pad and climb in the spaceship and load it with rocket fuel (Hulk.... Hogan....).

Wrestlemania XXX is a pivotal point in wrestling history. Who could have imagined in 1985 that there would be 30 events and that it would be broadcast on a network owned by Vincent Kennedy McMahon? Nobody.  This is the first Pay-Per-View ever broadcast live on the WWE Network.  This is monumental...  I want you to take a moment and realize the historical significance of that statement.  WWE rode the wave of television, cable, and Pay-Per-View and created a phenomenon in the World Wrestling Federation.  Wrestlemania birthed the future of wrestling, granted it was on closed-circuit television and not PPV.  The idea of people watching a live event on a screen and paying to see it was phenomenal.  It was like drawing a big house to a show, except now you can bring in way more eyes, millions even.

We have seen the innovations since then; PPV, RAW, SmackDown!, NXT and the Developmental Center, and now the WWE Network.  WWE has created their own distribution channel.  Now their fans can get their content directly from the provider and pay less in the end.  Instead of paying $60 a pop for each PPV, now I can pay $10.00 a month.  The fact that it also includes Wrestlemania XXX is the additional shocker.

It feels like so much has led to this show in terms of the product, and in terms of myself.  I have had a lot of ups and downs with my enthusiasm towards WWE in the past two years.  I have seen the bright spots, but have grown tired of WWE's seemingly downright refusal to create new stars and treat them like it.  I had hope when Daniel Bryan beat John Cena for the WWE Championship at Summerslam.  I still had hope when they clearly created a good vs. evil scenario with Bryan and HHH. The issue that followed was the inability to keep that story dragging out and have it be entertaining all the way to Mania.  They had to put it aside and kill it. That's where the Wyatt Family came in.



The Wyatt Family storyline with Daniel Bryan frustrated many fans.  This of course led to the famous cage match and post-match with one of the hottest crowds in years.  From there we got Batista. This is where the true change is felt. The "WWE Universe" rejected Batista and told the WWE brass who they wanted. Royal Rumble seemed to be the darkest time for many fans as Batista won the coveted Main Event title shot at Wrestlemania XXX.  That night may be looked at as a turning point.  The fans said no. They rejected what WWE had to offer.  Then CM Punk left. Surprisingly, that is where it gets better.

WWE had to change everything after everything seemed to implode in 24 hours.  The story that came after was one of acknowledgement that the WWE Universe has selected their star, Daniel Bryan.  It has come to pass that Daniel Bryan will be the central focus of Wrestlemania as he is wrestling double duty (providing he beats HHH). The entire product has revolved around Daniel Bryan for quite some time. More importantly, in that time talents have risen and a core group of talented men has bolstered the entire roster.  The Wyatts, the Shield, the Usos, Cesaro, and Cody Rhodes are some of the names that come to mind.  These guys have risen as credible stars of varying levels. The matches that these men have provided has created hope in the fans.  They have their guy, Daniel Bryan, and an extremely talented group of young and hungry guys.  John Cena should not be forgotten either, as his match provides an intriguing story. He has become the veteran and almost legend. His experience is extremely valuable.

Now that we're done with that, we get to April 6th.  WWE Network will be hosting a two hour pre-show and a post-show. This feels like a huge event, because it is. For the first time in a long time, I have hope. I also have passion. That's where this site comes in. We will be having a podcast starting in the near future.  This is where you will hear a fun discussion about the sport that we love.  I will also be posting from time to time. With the WWE Network, I will have no shortage of things to talk about.  Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the ride.